Two-fight UFC veteran and undefeated Ryoto Machida (10-0) is the likely opponent for Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (16-2) at UFC 76, according to recent statements from UFC President Dana White in The Gainesville Sun.
i am interested in this fight very much so dont take this as bashing... but i can see this fighting sucking something awful.
1. I can see shogun rushing in and throwing bombs and getting countered and hurt and either dropped and stopped or then being afraid to fight.
2. I can see shogun running in taking machida to the ground and just ending it real fast with gnp and a sub or ref stoppage
3. i can see shogun being scared to strike and machida waiting to counter and it going three rounds like diego v. kos
4. i can see an awesome fight with great counters and great GnP and BJJ and Muy Thai ....
I hope for the 4rth option.
__________________ Leading the charge of the Ground Fighting WarWagon:
Demian Maia, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, Fabricio "Vai Cavalo" Werdum, Marcelo Garcia, Marcus Aurelio, Ricardo Almeida, Roger Gracie, Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro, Ricardo Arona and Shinya "Tobikan Judan" Aoki
I like both guys so its hard for me to choose between them I just hope the fight is as good as it sounds on paper.Should be a tough first fight for shogun not a can at all Lyoto can bang.If shogun fights his agressive style against machida this fight will definatly end up with someone getting ko'd
I agree with you George, this fight likely won't be that exciting. Dana also said Forrest really really wants this fight. Although Machida would be a more skilled opponent, Griffin would provide more excitement and more name recognition. I think i'd prefer Griffin for those reasons.
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I agree with you George, this fight likely won't be that exciting. Dana also said Forrest really really wants this fight. Although Machida would be a more skilled opponent, Griffin would provide more excitement and more name recognition. I think i'd prefer Griffin for those reasons.
it sucks cause i agree with you 100% Forrest will stand and trade with him and as we have seen from Forrest the more you come at him the more game he is. Machida is a great talent and it could be one of the best fights ever in MMA if they both fight perfect... i just see to much room for error in it. either way shogun is going to make a b-line for the title and destroy rampage in the 3rd or 4th round and then hold the belt for 1526 title defenses.... mark my words... when he hits title defense number 1515 you will remember this post and piss yourself! (clearly kidding folks)
__________________ Leading the charge of the Ground Fighting WarWagon:
Demian Maia, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, Fabricio "Vai Cavalo" Werdum, Marcelo Garcia, Marcus Aurelio, Ricardo Almeida, Roger Gracie, Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro, Ricardo Arona and Shinya "Tobikan Judan" Aoki
either way shogun is going to make a b-line for the title and destroy rampage in the 3rd or 4th round and then hold the belt for 1526 title defenses.... mark my words... when he hits title defense number 1515 you will remember this post and piss yourself! (clearly kidding folks)
White could have a CroCop 2 in his hands here, bringing the top LHW in the world, for a first fight in an octagon, with slightly different rules, and against an underrated top 5 in the world. This is the perfect recipe for a tragedy. If Lyoto cremates Shogun, the UFC will be in deep ****, not because Lyoto is not a good fighter, but because he is not yet perceived largely as the great talent he is.
The perfect play is feeding Forrest to Shogun. Forrest has higher profile than Lyoto while being a much easier opponent. If Griffin loses but puts on a good show, everyone is happy. If he wins, well, he won't. So no need to worry there. But let's imagine Shogun has a freaky accident and loses. In that case, baby-boy Griffin will have the HIGH profile win Dana wanted him to have against Tito. Win-Win situation.
That said, I am sure Shogun does not give a royal **** about his next opponent. The guy will fight terminator if they put him in the ring.
White could have a CroCop 2 in his hands here, bringing the top LHW in the world, for a first fight in an octagon, with slightly different rules, and against an underrated top 5 in the world. This is the perfect recipe for a tragedy. If Lyoto cremates Shogun, the UFC will be in deep ****, not because Lyoto is not a good fighter, but because he is not yet perceived largely as the great talent he is.
The perfect play is feeding Forrest to Shogun. Forrest has higher profile than Lyoto while being a much easier opponent. If Griffin loses but puts on a good show, everyone is happy. If he wins, well, he won't. So no need to worry there. But let's imagine Shogun has a freaky accident and loses. In that case, baby-boy Griffin will have the HIGH profile win Dana wanted him to have against Tito. Win-Win situation.
That said, I am sure Shogun does not give a royal **** about his next opponent. The guy will fight terminator if they put him in the ring.
Maybe Bonnar?
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This is how it's supposed to be.
Bad men vs. bad men.
The LHW-division is now so stacked it's not a tragedy when some of the top guys lose once in a while.
It's what we always wanted, top guys against each other. No coddling.
White could have a CroCop 2 in his hands here, bringing the top LHW in the world, for a first fight in an octagon, with slightly different rules, and against an underrated top 5 in the world. This is the perfect recipe for a tragedy. If Lyoto cremates Shogun, the UFC will be in deep ****, not because Lyoto is not a good fighter, but because he is not yet perceived largely as the great talent he is.
The perfect play is feeding Forrest to Shogun. Forrest has higher profile than Lyoto while being a much easier opponent. If Griffin loses but puts on a good show, everyone is happy. If he wins, well, he won't. So no need to worry there. But let's imagine Shogun has a freaky accident and loses. In that case, baby-boy Griffin will have the HIGH profile win Dana wanted him to have against Tito. Win-Win situation.
That said, I am sure Shogun does not give a royal **** about his next opponent. The guy will fight terminator if they put him in the ring.
I tell you what i really don't like... all this about people being worried about fights and fighters etc.
You clearly in another thread talked about Shogun being the best etc. and now you're worrying because he is facing Lyoto Machida.
If a guy with the profile of Shogun comes into the UFC, I would find it embarrassing for Shogun to see fans saying not to fight Machida after all the praise they gave. He will be a UFC fighter, he must fight the best to his ability and work him, why give him someone like Forrest if it would be too easy for him. People will realise this who may not know Shogun too well and start to think that Shogun can't be that good if he is being paired up with Forrest, who you have just claimed to be an easy opponent for him.
Ok, if Dana gives Shogun a fight against Forrest thats fair enough, and I would like to see the fight. However, for a fan to say that Shogun will tear through the UFC and then say he is worried that Shoguns first fight will be against Machida, it sort of lacks logic and sort of shows inconsistency.
If Shogun loses his first title fight, then thats fair enough, he shouldn't be protected at all because if he doesn't beat Machida then surely he is not yet ready for a title shot and Machida is more deserving, to be fair it sounds like you want Shogun to have an easy route to the title, and as a fan I just think that isn't too loyal.
Shogun vs Machida at UFC 76?
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