Is Lyoto Machida As Good As Everyone Thinks?

Swizzie · 11-22-2008, 11:51 AM

Is Lyoto Machida As Good As Everyone Thinks? | Bleacher Report

Lyoto Machida is certainly a rising threat to the UFC Light-Heavyweight crown, but is he as good as many fans think?

In his career he is 13-0. He holds notable victories over Rich Franklin, Stephan Bonnar, B.J. Penn, Sokoudjou, and Tito Ortiz. These are impressive names to have on your resume, but is he the type of fighter you want to see as Champion in the best division in MMA?

His style is one that raises both admiration and criticism. His style is Karate (combined with all other elements Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling etc). The style he employs is admired due to how technically beautiful and exquisite it is.

However, his style involves lots of in-and-out work, which some consider boring and not worthy of a Champion, and one has to take into consideration that we have yet to see Machida pushed nor hit. So how will he respond? We don't know until that happens.

Of his five UFC victories, he has finished only one that being his fight, with Sokoudjou via arm triangle, all of his other victories have come via decision against Sam Hoger, David Heath, Nakamura, and Ortiz.

Apart from Ortiz, none of these fighters are considered to be high-caliber, and are no longer in the UFC, not to mention that Sokoudjou appears to have been over-hyped.

Although in his performances he makes people look foolish, surely he has to finish fights. Fighters who finish fights bring the UFC money. Griffin vs Machida does not sound as interesting as Griffin vs Rampage II or Griffin vs Wanderlei.

In my opinion, he has the technique of a Champion, but until I see him finish fights and beat a real high-caliber opponent, I am not convinced. At UFC 94, I may be proven to be foolish as he battles a high-caliber opponent in Thiago Silva.

We can only wait.

RapeChoke · 11-22-2008, 01:34 PM

short answer yes he fucking is!!!!!!!!!!

Swizzie · 11-22-2008, 01:43 PM

Agreed, he will end Thiago's undefeated streak and then terrorise the rest of the division.

TRAINWRECK_d · 11-22-2008, 02:12 PM

That or Thiago will end his win streak! war Thiago! 13-1 for Machida I can't find a guy who backpeddles most of a fight exciting if he pushes the action more he'd be a good champ......

RapeChoke · 11-22-2008, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by DankN'MMA

That or Thiago will end his win streak! war Thiago! 13-1 for Machida I can't find a guy who backpeddles most of a fight exciting

fortunately neither of us give a fuck.

kazja13 · 11-22-2008, 02:23 PM

Swizzie · 11-22-2008, 02:24 PM

Dammit Kaz, tone down the advertising!!!!

TRAINWRECK_d · 11-22-2008, 02:24 PM

Sounds like you will when his ass gets TKO'd, I was just saying what I thought about the topic, what's with the hostility? is that all you got on why he's so great?

kazja13 · 11-22-2008, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Swizzie

Dammit Kaz, tone down the advertising!!!!

Ok sorry. I made it smaller. The first one was just to large I agree.

Swizzie · 11-22-2008, 02:29 PM

Alright, that's better

kazja13 · 11-22-2008, 02:31 PM

He is the Shit!

Keelar Squeed · 11-22-2008, 02:37 PM

Machida's striking and standup defense is second only to teh Spider. . .his technique is fast, accurate, and virtually flawless.

Machida is very difficult to take down (as Tito discovered) and has a variety of throw and striking attacks he can use in the clinch.

Machida has shown that he can consistently dictate both the pace of the fight and where the fight will take place. Because of that he's a bad matchup for everyone.

I don't know what to tell you if you can't appreciate the level of his game. He's not exciting in the sense of a granite chin brawler, but he's exciting in that he makes an art of the fight game. I love to watch him work.

RapeChoke · 11-22-2008, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Keelar Squeed

Machida's striking and standup defense is second only to teh Spider. . .his technique is fast, accurate, and virtually flawless.

Machida is very difficult to take down (as Tito discovered) and has a variety of throw and striking attacks he can use in the clinch.

Machida has shown that he can consistently dictate both the pace of the fight and where the fight will take place. Because of that he's a bad matchup for everyone.

I don't know what to tell you if you can't appreciate the level of his game. He's not exciting in the sense of a granite chin brawler, but he's exciting in that he makes an art of the fight game. I love to watch him work.

I dunno its tough for me to gauge who is better they use opposite striking styles. Something in my gut tells me its Machida who's striking is the superior I base that just on perception though, having seen all of both of their fights. Just a feeling, couldnt debate it.

Relentless · 11-22-2008, 03:40 PM

Frankly i'm not 100% sure on it, he hasn't gone up against a top 10 fighter yet, sure Soko was ranked at the time, but as we all found out he's pretty overrated himself, i want to see how he does up against guys like Rampage, Wand, Rashad, Jardine, Forrest...his style is perfect to be undefeated, but we need to see how he handles being beat up in the early parts of a fight, and if he's able to come back

He's going to own Thiago Silva, as much as i like Thiago, Machida is gonna fuck him up

villin · 11-22-2008, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by kazja13

Ok sorry. I made it smaller. The first one was just to large I agree.

That wasn't the point at all you stupid cunt. The point is you just don't randomly post crap in threads that have nothing to do with the discussion.