Ryoto Machida (10-0) will take on Kazuhiro Nakamura (11-6) in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 76: “Knockout” on September 22, according to UFC.com.
Up until two weeks ago, Machida was widely believed to be the opponent for UFC newcomer Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. That fight never panned out, and now Machida is up against another talented fighter set to make his Octagon debut.
Let’s stick with Tom Gerbasi’s description of Nakamura on this one:
“… Nakamura will be making his UFC debut after fighting his entire career for the PRIDE organization. Owner of wins over Murilo Bustamante, Kevin Randleman, and Igor Vovchanchyn, this light heavyweight Judo standout has also locked horns with Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva, Josh Barnett, and Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, making him one of the most battle-tested veterans at the elite level of the game.”
Couldn’t have said it any better. And don’t let the record fool you for those unfamiliar with Kaz — he’s one tough customer.
Machida is a two-fight UFC veteran with unanimous decision wins over Sam Hoger (UFC 67) and David Heath (UFC 70). Prior to becoming a Zuffa employee, Machida toppled UFC notables such as Rich Franklin, BJ Penn and Stephan Bonnar.
The headline bout for UFC 76 is a 205-pound contest between former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell and Keith Jardine. Rua will throwdown with fan favorite Forrest Griffin, and Jon Fitch will look to dish out another signature welterweight beatdown of Diego Sanchez.
Not too mention Thiago Tavares and Tyson Griffin will battle in a sick lightweight showdown.
I think I’m excited.
For the developing UFC 76 fight card click here.
32 Comments »
Mania - Love the Fitch comment!! I agree….although I know many don’t.
[quote comment=”117612″]Mania - Love the Fitch comment!! I agree….although I know many don’t.[/quote]
I didn’t say he would, I just said he will “look to.” There’s a difference. But yes, I am a little biased. Let it be known.
Yeah Fitch will take it, But so will machida, Nakamuras last fight was against shogun in 2006 he might be a little rusty
This fights on the main card too!
i wonder why the mochida fight never played out maybe jardin is an easier win?
Machida vs Nakamura is one HELL of a fight! Nak is severely underrated, and I think this will be a war
[quote comment=”117647″]Machida vs Nakamura is one HELL of a fight! Nak is severely underrated, and I think this will be a war[/quote]
Yeah I hope and wish, but fights with Machida are very rarely “wars” rather a display of technique, who can frusterate the other into making the first fatal mistake.
Too bad that Machida-Shogun fight never worked out. It would be nice to see Machida tested against a top level opponent.
Wow this is not bad…..Nice lil add to 76
I think the Tavares / Griffin fight will win fight on the night easy.
i’m loving 76, sept. 22 can’t come any faster, can’t wait to see diego/fitch tavares/griffin rua/griffin, 3 for sure wars right there, and this machida/kaz fight will no doubt be interesting, i hope machida comes out super aggressive and wins impressively, i doubt he’ll come out anything less than defensive though, which still is alright with me, he’s a counter puncher, nothing wrong with that i guess…
[quote comment=”117658″]Too bad that Machida-Shogun fight never worked out. It would be nice to see Machida tested against a top level opponent.[/quote]
Well this guy is a pretty legit opponent, the best guy Machida has had in his own weightclass thus far, without a doubt.
As a huge Machida fan, I can only hope this doesnt end up being a dark match. Machida is so well rounded that his fights are only exciting when he has a top level opponent. Nakamura may not be the toughest guy out there, but I think his experience will make him a game opponent. PLEASE BE AN EXCITING FIGHT. I want to see this one.
All I know is if they don’t broadcast the Thiago Tavares vs. Tyson Griffin fight, I’m going to f*ck someone up.
At least we know that Nakamura won’t be able to wear his gi, so that he won’t be tempted to throw it off in the middle of a round and let himself get punched in the face.
Looks like Machida is officially under “protected” status. Watch- he’s going to fight “talented new-comers”, “seasoned veterans” and then get a title shot. Don’t get me wrong, the guy is tough as sh!t and definitely a top contender. I just see the grooming process in full bore. Machida-Rua was just fantasy marketing buzz. Put it out there and then pull it back.
[quote comment=”117898″]Looks like Machida is officially under “protected” status. Watch- he’s going to fight “talented new-comers”, “seasoned veterans” and then get a title shot. Don’t get me wrong, the guy is tough as sh!t and definitely a top contender. I just see the grooming process in full bore. Machida-Rua was just fantasy marketing buzz. Put it out there and then pull it back.[/quote]
I wouldn’t call fighting Nakamura being protected. The guy has wins over Igor V, Bustamante, and a heavyweight in Randleman, as well as some ok wins vs Kondo, Cyborg, and Nakao. Hell, his only losses are to the top of the food chain fighters, and he did well in those fights. He was holding his own vs Wanderlei Silva until taking his gi off mid-round, then getting caught
Just to give people an idea, here are Nakamura’s losses
Mauricio Rua (#1 light heavyweight)
Josh Barnett (#4 heavyweight)
Wanderlei Silva (#5 light heavyweight
Dan Henderson (#3 light heavyweight)
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira x 2 (#8 light heavyweight
He has only lost to top 10 fighters, 1 above his weight class, and 3 who at the time were arguably the best in their division (Shogun, Silva at the time, Henderson at mw at the time). Not saying this makes Nak a super badass, or he’ll fighter for the title. However, it shows Machida will have to bring his ‘A’ game to beat him
[quote comment=”117965″]Just to give people an idea, here are Nakamura’s losses
Mauricio Rua (#1 light heavyweight)
Josh Barnett (#4 heavyweight)
Wanderlei Silva (#5 light heavyweight
Dan Henderson (#3 light heavyweight)
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira x 2 (#8 light heavyweight
He has only lost to top 10 fighters, 1 above his weight class, and 3 who at the time were arguably the best in their division (Shogun, Silva at the time, Henderson at mw at the time). Not saying this makes Nak a super badass, or he’ll fighter for the title. However, it shows Machida will have to bring his ‘A’ game to beat him[/quote]
That’s an impressive list of opponents to have lost to! The name Heath Herring comes to mind also. Herring fights just hard enough to lose (this last fight took the cake).
Like you said, it’s hard to say how Nakamura will develop as a fighter- whether he climbs up or always finishes second in his fights.
THIS FIGHT CARD IS STARTING TO TURN OUT TO BE A SICK ASS CARD!!! Theres gonna be some damn good battles and then we get to end it off with a 1st round 5 second KO by Liddell!!!
[quote comment=”117620″][quote comment=”117612″]Mania - Love the Fitch comment!! I agree….although I know many don’t.[/quote]
I didn’t say he would, I just said he will “look to.” There’s a difference. But yes, I am a little biased. Let it be known.[/quote]
Hey Mania: Have u heard anything on who evan Tanner will face?
What weight will he fight at 205?
Just goes to show you that Ryoto Machida is a flash in the pan type guy. The UFC has to throw him mid tier guys because for some reason he has a fan following and people think the world of him. Granted he is a nice talent, but many of you need to get off his nuts. Ryoto Machida is not a top five caliber for simply beating 5′ 11″ pudgy David Heath.
Like the fight. Nak is always fun to watch
Thiago Tavarez and Tyson Griffin’s fight BETTER be on the televised portion of the main card. Hell, I’d even settle for the swing bout. But if they dare put this fight on the undercard, I really think that all of us need to email the UFC and tell them how much thier televised fight selections suck. I can already picture them showing us Justin McCully vs. Christian Wellisch and not Tavarez/Griffin which is going to be SUCH A GREAT FIGHT. If this is the case, this will end up being the first time I pay $1.99 to watch a fight on UFC on Demand.
[quote comment=”118040″]Just goes to show you that Ryoto Machida is a flash in the pan type guy. The UFC has to throw him mid tier guys because for some reason he has a fan following and people think the world of him. Granted he is a nice talent, but many of you need to get off his nuts. Ryoto Machida is not a top five caliber for simply beating 5′ 11″ pudgy David Heath.[/quote]
Not to be offensive, but if you consider David Heath on Nakamura’s level you need to do some research. Nak is NOT mid tier, and if anything is just outside the top 10. If he beat Machida I’d no doubt put him in the top 10. Hell, some places already have him as top 10
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/topten.asp?articleid=15&zoneid=15
[quote comment=”118040″]Just goes to show you that Ryoto Machida is a flash in the pan type guy. The UFC has to throw him mid tier guys because for some reason he has a fan following and people think the world of him. Granted he is a nice talent, but many of you need to get off his nuts. Ryoto Machida is not a top five caliber for simply beating 5′ 11″ pudgy David Heath.[/quote]
Dude, he was big and well liked before he ever walked into the UFC, newbie.
Seriously I hope Fitch can handle Diego. I would LOVE to see him win and dish Diego his first Excuse free loss.
[quote comment=”117654″][quote comment=”117647″]Machida vs Nakamura is one HELL of a fight! Nak is severely underrated, and I think this will be a war[/quote]
Yeah I hope and wish, but fights with Machida are very rarely “wars” rather a display of technique, who can frusterate the other into making the first fatal mistake.[/quote]
That;s why I love Machida so much. He is pure technique. Martial Arts at it’s highest level. Personally, I believe the only way anyone can beat Machida is by overwhelming him. Argueably, very few have technique as sound as his.
[quote comment=”118040″]Just goes to show you that Ryoto Machida is a flash in the pan type guy. The UFC has to throw him mid tier guys because for some reason he has a fan following and people think the world of him. Granted he is a nice talent, but many of you need to get off his nuts. Ryoto Machida is not a top five caliber for simply beating 5′ 11″ pudgy David Heath.[/quote]
Kevin, I won’t argue with you but I will say that you need to study-up a bit more.
If you think wins over RIch Franklin & BJ Penn are easily dismissable then no one deserves any respect by your terms.
[quote comment=”118499″]Seriously I hope Fitch can handle Diego. I would LOVE to see him win and dish Diego his first Excuse free loss.[/quote]
Yeah, would be nice. During Fitch’s last fight I really saw some champion level qualities. No doubt in my mind that he is capable of soundly defeating Diego.
Actually, if Karo didnt gas vs Diego & if you count the Kos win, Fitch would be set to hand him his 3rd career loss.
[quote comment=”118040″]Just goes to show you that Ryoto Machida is a flash in the pan type guy. The UFC has to throw him mid tier guys because for some reason he has a fan following and people think the world of him. Granted he is a nice talent, but many of you need to get off his nuts. Ryoto Machida is not a top five caliber for simply beating 5′ 11″ pudgy David Heath.[/quote]
Are you stupid, he TKOd Rich Franklin when Franklin looked unbeatable