Poll-Do You Like Machida?

MTKrav911 · 05-27-2008, 07:18 PM

By that I mean, I'm sure everyone respects Machida. But do you like what he brings in to MMA? Maybe not the most exciting crowd pleaser, but an effective elusive MMA fighter that can lull opponents into a sense of dominance then

BAM, he's hitting you with knees, judo throws, elbows, etc.

Also, has anyone yet identified any weaknesses in Machida's game?

SO, poll, Do you all Like Machida in MMA or wish he'd maybe go elsewhere like professional karate competition?

666 · 05-27-2008, 07:33 PM

I dont know machida or his personality, but I do like his fight style and what he does to win. It does get boring at times but right now he is unbeaten and honestly Im just waiting to see the day that someone can beat him.

GeorgeXVX · 05-27-2008, 07:52 PM

Machida rules real hard... anyone who isnt a fan of his should maybe rethink do they really like mma as a sport or as violence.... if you want to see people looking for KO's and being mindlessly aggressive maybe you should go check out felony fights!

SmashingMachine · 05-27-2008, 07:56 PM

Machida brings it. I'm anxious to see him fight someone like Chuck, Wandy, or even Rampage. I think he definetly belongs in the top 4 or 5 LHWs.

MTKrav911 · 05-27-2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeXVX

Machida rules real hard... anyone who isnt a fan of his should maybe rethink do they really like mma as a sport or as violence.... if you want to see people looking for KO's and being mindlessly aggressive maybe you should go check out felony fights!

You know I agree George. I understand why some would think he's boring, but when you really watch his style, he's very smart.

Shotokan Karate (as practically all karate styles) are about not getting hit, or putting yourself into a position of being hit. They also are styles that are all about when you hit someone? It better be with KO power.

Karate practioners don't want to clinch. They don't want to sit and wait for you to come in.

They want to evade, they want to fade in and out, circle away and side to side (what some might call running), bait you into thinking one thing, and then

BAM

you're in trouble!

It may not make for the most exiciting TV. But it's extremely effective. Ask Tito. I mean Machida Judo throwing him at the end of round 1?

Classic

I guess the only weakness would be that Machida really was caught in a tight triangle/armbar attempt by Tito, but he pulled out.

KungFuGrip · 05-27-2008, 08:14 PM

I love Machida! He does things for a reason. He is probably the most focus fighter to ever step in the octagon. If anything I would love for him to fight only the agressive fighters, just to see his skills play out. If he beats a top striker next, I would love a Anderson Silva vs Machida at a catch weight of some sort. (dream fight for now)

I guess it could pose a problem if two Machida's were in the cage. You might not see a finish, but a full display a technical strategy. Put it this way two Machida's might need longer then 15 minutes and more like 25 minutes plus. Some might say it's a waste of time, I say bring on a beatiful fight.

Machida reminds me of a karate version of Bruce Lee AND HE IS IN THE UFC!

MTKrav911 · 05-27-2008, 08:18 PM

Anyway, if anyone has a good video that I could make signature material of Tito's triangle on Machida? I'll give up 75k points for it.

I think it serves a dual beauty. A very hurt Tito Ortiz last attempt to win with 21 seconds left on the clock.....AND

A bad ass Lyoto Machida surviving such a good tight submission attempt, in fact double submission attempt because Tito had both a tight triangle that rolled into an armbar as well.

In the hands of a black belt BJJ guy? Machida might have been tapped out Saturday.

It was just a beautiful few seconds IMO

JoeRoganismyhero · 05-27-2008, 08:27 PM

I love watching guys look like they are drunk trying to hit him or take him down! Tito took a bunch of swings and misses, and every time he clinched machida just slipped out!

Jumpin Jack Flash · 05-27-2008, 08:28 PM

Im a huge Machida fan and have been for some time.

I love his style, i love how he fights and i love what he brings to mma. I get the feeling that most of the people who dont like him dont really know what mma is about and want to see to sluggers throw windmills at each other.

He's an elusive technical fighter that no one has been able to figure out yet.

In regards to him having any weaknesses..... at the moment i cant really see any.

I thought a weakness might have been he would get manhandled by a strong wrestler (he looks a little small compared to some LHWs) but tbh when he engaged with tito he looked much stronger.

Also i get frustrated when i hear people say he's scared to fight and run away (not on this forum).....this is completely wrong. He just doesnt go charging in, he circles and picks away at opponents forcing them to open up then he does damage, also when he does actually see openings he attacks he doesnt just constantly wait for counter attacks.

Im a huge fan, love the way he fights. Is he next LHW champion?..... i'd like to think so, at the moment i'd say he has to be next for title shot and i can see rampage having a lot of trouble trying to figure out a way through his elusive style.

riversideblues · 05-27-2008, 08:49 PM

He gassed at the end of the Tito fight really badly, someone good like Rampage would set his own pace that Machida couldn't keep up with.

I think exploiting that is about the only way to stopping him

MTKrav911 · 05-27-2008, 08:59 PM

I re-watched the Tito/Machida fight (for the last 10th time) just now.

Machida is good at baiting too. He seems to have a split second of weakness when he lands on Tito and Tito for a split second counters. Sure, Tito never landed anythign significant, but the fact that he got close is as close to a weakness I can see judging by watching this fight for the 10th time.

I wonder if it wouldnt be a good idea for a Rampage or a Wanderlei to fake being hurt or exagerrate being hurt, in order to draw Machida in, and then BAM try to take Machida out that way.

Right now, just based on this fight vs his first big named fighter in Tito, is the only way I can see you getting close to Machida.

There was one clinch in this fight where Tito had some signs of life (middle 2nd round), where he did manage to tie Machida up. Tito executed a few elbows from every angle in the clinch, and Machida looked in trouble, but then simply shook it off eventually.

I wonder if that's not Machida's only true weakness. Can a good enough clinch fighter bait him into the clinch #1, and then once there? Can that fighter really mess Machida up in that clinch #2

The answer so far is

NO.

jmag · 05-27-2008, 09:04 PM

I love seeing Machida advance. My base was in a style of Tae Kwon Do that seems very similar to his - never staying in the strike zone, too close, too far away, too close, too far away, baiting and so on.

Zoosh Badlegs · 05-27-2008, 09:27 PM

Yep. Loved him since the first time i saw him.

I'd like to see him up against someone who will really push the fight. Stood up, Tito was never going to do that, so it wasn't too surprising to see the fight go that way.

rhtufts · 05-27-2008, 09:57 PM

Never been a Machida fan but I sure enjoyed watching him make Tito look like a C level fool.

.02
Russell

Grrr · 05-27-2008, 10:25 PM

Machida vs Cung Le. I would pay much money to see that.

MTKrav911 · 05-27-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grrr

Machida vs Cung Le. I would pay much money to see that.

Cung Le would finally realize that kicking only gets you so far

earvinarp · 05-28-2008, 12:32 AM

If you see Machida through the years, he has really evolved. He is inflicting more damage while launching less shots, and taking very little punishment. That, to me, sounds like a solid technician.

Yeah, it may look like he's running. But at the end of the fight Tito's face told a very different story. Machida is king without a crown, but not for long.

fullonshred · 05-28-2008, 12:38 AM

Meh..... He is great at what he does, but he is boring in too many fights. I don't like Dana White, but I don't blame him for dreading the possibility of Machida with a belt. Snooooooore.... PPV drop-off from hell.

AikaImmortal · 05-28-2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by earvinarp

If you see Machida through the years, he has really evolved. He is inflicting more damage while launching less shots, and taking very little punishment. That, to me, sounds like a solid technician.

Yeah, it may look like he's running. But at the end of the fight Tito's face told a very different story. Machida is king without a crown, but not for long.

True, but in his earlier fights, namely Inoki Bom Ba Yae and Jungle Fight, we were treated to killer instincts and some could argue that he has become more cautious as of late. Machida has always been a counterfighter and alot of his perceived dullness in the UFC is due to the matchmaking. Put Machida in with a fighter whose bread and butter is striking and then call him boring.

asronn · 05-28-2008, 12:55 AM

I think he is a great fighter but I have no desire to watch him. He has no desire to finish fights. He just wants to score points and not get hit. Thats boring to me. Doesnt mean I dont like MMA. You are the same guys who critsize Rashad for LnP. How is what Machida does any different? They are both solid tactitions who do what they have to in order to get the win but they rarely submit or Ko anyone