“I believe this fight won’t go to decision…. Thiago likes to fight aggressively, me too, he has good MMA techniques, so I believe this fight might finish before the third round. I’m training a lot, actually I hadn’t stop training since my last fight. Now I’m doing a specifically training focused on Thiago, preparing my strategies and working on the physical preparation.… I’m very focused.”
– Lyoto Machida tells Tatame.com that he expects his light heavyweight showdown against Thiago Silva at UFC 89: “Bisping vs Leben” at the National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham, England, on October 18, to not go the distance. It’s a sensational 205-pound match up between two undefeated fighters with identical records. Whether it goes the full distance or not one thing is certain: someone will go home with a 13-1 record and the winner will likely be on the door step of a title shot in early to mid 2009. Perhaps even sooner, depending on what happens with Chuck Liddell at UFC 88 next weekend.
104 Comments »
thats laughable
“Thiago likes to fight aggressively, me too,”
He’s aggressive only when countering or when there’s an opening…That’s about it…
I’m glad somebody else saw that. I was afraid I read it wrong.
The only way to beat machida is to wait by the side of the cage,stick your leg out and hope he trips while he is running by
Machida is about as aggressive as a stoned ladybug. If this fight ends quickly, then Thiago is the winner.
Ha, I had to read it 3 times to make sure I didn’t misread. Machida is as aggressive as a Peanut-Jelly-Sandwich.
Just cause Machida isnt as aggressive as Thiago it does not mean that only thiago has the ability to end the fight.
Fans should really get excited over this fight because its a fight between 2 REAL (undefeated) Contenders. This is the fight I anticipate most this year. I really cant wait to see this fight. I have no F’in idea who will win this one.
I hate to go against Silva, but I think Machida is to good for most of the 205 division.
I think he’s right, Machida is aggressive when someone is pushing the action the way thiago should. Fights like the soko fight shows this, fights such as the tito fight wasn’t fast paced because tito wasn’t pushing the action. Machida is a counter fighter, he needs aggressive fighters to show what he can do…
for a very interesting new interview with Rampage go to fiveouncesofpain.com I try posting it but Mania wont let me. Its a real good read.
This should spark a MONSTER debate on this site because rapage talks about loosing all respect for Forrest as a man!
http://fiveouncesofpain.com/
Good stuff John..I would side with Page on this one.
this fight has machida winning by tko all over it.
Machida is as aggressive as his opponent as stated above. Jacob sucks, so obviously Machida is going to look boring. Fighting someone like Thiago will bring out the best and most aggressive Machida any of us have seen. Thiago is one of my favorites, but Machida is scary, for anyone to fight. His style compares to Anderson Silva, only he doesn’t use those tools as effectively as Anderson.
This is going to be a damn good fight, Thiago might be the one to beat Machida. He has to stay aggressive and in his face long enough to get it to the ground, where Thiago can still hold his own against Machida. It’ll be tough for him though, and the winner will definately earn this win.
Hahahahaha!!!!
You would side with Rampage, PhilQNY.
You are a famous Rampage lover and an even more famous Griffin hater.
I like both fighters but Rampage clearly has lost it since losing his belt. This interview of his just magnifies the fact that he is still recovering mentally. He is still bitter and resentful. Page should concentrate on cleaning up his legal problems, getting his head straight and getting back in the gym so he can reclaim that title. Talking smack about Griffin just makes Page look childish.
OJR: I like Griffin, but didn’t feel he derserved a shot at the LHW title just because he rebounded from his loss to Jardine by defeating via Decision Hector Rameriz.. and taping Shogun..in Shogun’s UFC debut.
I do side with Page.. Because I would feel the same way. If I had a 5 round fight that was as close as that fight.. then hey Forrest should give him a rematch. Following UFC86 PAge wild out.. that is not at question here at all.. and he needs to regroup, recover, handle his legal and Mental health issues..
Did Forrest beat Page.. yep the judges said gave him the nod..Did Forrest convincengly beat Page. nope…Did a slop sided victory given to Forrest..fair.. Nah. did Forrest show up with a tight ass game plan.. yep. Did Page and most of us here taught that RAMPAGE JACKSON.. was going to power slam Forrest thru the earth’s mantle. yep. Did Page talk smack on the TUF.yep.
My thing is Page took the UFC LWH title from Chuck.. Forrest was handed the title from Page.
What I hear Page saying is.. After that fight.. even Forrest knew he won a razor sharp decision..and to be crowned UFC Champ.. under these circumstances.. would call for an immediate title shot. Forrest is facing the winner of Chuck/Evans.. even though if Rashad(IF) wins.. then it’s the winner of Lyoto/Thiago that should get a shot. This is the best possiable scenario for Chuck to be in.. cuz him beating another good wrestler..improved striker in Rashad.. will crusie him back to a title shot.. where Page is not going to be there. I agree that PAge needs help.. and because of his post UFC86 actions.. a rematch is out of hte question..but if he didn’t do all the craziness then..for sure he should of been the next opponent for Forrest.
Your reasons are not founded on any type of fact but I appreciate your explanation.
OJR: Rampage is one ovf the few fighters in mma that can actually make a statement like that because Rampage has always been honest about his performances. When he beat Ninja, he admitted that he did not win the fight and even gave his trophy to Ninja. rampage has been very honorable in that respect. I agree with Rampage. I also expected Forrest to step up and make some comments to the affect of: It was a very close fight and we will have to do it again, but those comments never came. I am in the minority that dont believe that Forrest will defend his title on new years….I would like him to, but I think he will sit out for a while and milk his title reign!
Rampage is not wrong at all!
great post Phil!
The odds to this fight really have me baffled. I expected to see Machida open as the favorite and Thiago pretty close to even, perhaps in the neighborhood of”
Machida -160
Silva +120
However, the odds have opened at:
Machida -280
Silva +210
Those odds give Silva a 32% chance of winning the fight. IF you think he wins that fight more than 1 out of 3 times, then a bet on him would be profitable. The oddsmaker are saying that Machida wins this fight just about 3 out of 4 times.
QUICK QUESTION: Do you think that these lopsided odds are justifieable or do you think that they are way out of line?
If there is someone anyone should have less respect for as a man, it should be Rampage. Rampage gets almost an immediate shot at Chuck and we are questioning whether Forrest deserved his? I just don’t understand that. Also Forrest clearly came game to fight against Rampage and showed a great amount of respect for his opponent. On the other hand Rampage stated that Forrest needed to get past the third for Rampage to respect him. Well Forrest not only did that, he took him to decision. Even more Rampage was sleeping when Forrest had him on the ground, wasn’t even trying to improve position. You know IMO Rampage deserved his loss more than Forrest deserved his win, and this is why Forrest was the clear cut winner that night. Forrest now has the most prestigeous title in MMA and will be defending it against any of about 5 men who could kill a normal man on any given night with his fist. Rampage needs to get in line like everyone else and work his way back up to the top. When I say work his way back to the top, he knows he’ll get another shot if he wins his next fight. So it also doesn’t make sense because he knows when he fights there will probably be a title fight on the same card with Forrest and Chuck, and then he’ll be facing the winner of that fight next (if he wins his own fight), how can you complain with that, its Forrest or Chuck? W/e I just think Rampage is mad because he is going to get handled by Wandy and he wont’ get his title shot.
John,
Here is that interview;
Jackson says that he has “lost a lot of respect” for Griffin in the wake of the fight, largely because the new champion has not been talking of a rematch despite winning the belt in controversial fashion.
“After the fight, I said ‘I’ve got to give you a lot of respect, because you hurt my leg and you had a good game plan’,” he explains.
“But now, I don’t respect him as a man. Because if it was me, I would have said, ‘I have to give him a rematch right away, to remove all doubt’.
“I’m a man and when you fight it’s all about honour. I’m not angry at him or anything, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve lost respect for him as a man.”
In his last two fights Griffin has beaten the two men who were widely considered the best in the world at 205. He beat the crap out of Rua before tapping him at the end (and spare me the excuses about his knee). Then he dominated at least three rounds against Rampage, including a 10-8 round. Any discussion about the top LHWs HAS to include Forrest. I know a lot of people who have been following UFC since the Shamrock-Gracie days still consider Griffin a fluke because he came through a reality show, but he earned his title shot and earned the belt. Rampage lost, and if he wants the belt back he has to win a few fights and earn a shot. Forrest even acknowledged right after the fight that they would probably have to do it again soon, so Rampage has no reason to bitch. He had 25 minutes to win that fight and he failed miserably. He has nobody to blame but himself, so he needs to STFU.
I believe forrest did say we ar going to have to do that again! His exact words were,(I think that was pretty close,and i didn’t want to Because he hits to F’n Hard but i think were going to have to do that shit again) and apperantly he did earn it,and he beat the champ. People need to quit getting so butt hurt because there fighter lost,even if it was a decision,as long as it was a good exciting fight.Every man in this world is beatable,weather it’s rampage,chuck,anderson,fedor,machida,so on and so forth.
Quit wining,deal with it.If any of these guys deserve a title shot they will get one,when has the ufc acted like elite and not given a title shot to a deserving,fighter.
And just because you were champ doesn’t mean u should get a rematch right off,best example chuck vs randy, after randy lost did he get a rematch right off ,no he had to fight van arvsdale,yea randy got ko’d against chuck but .Rampage lost the fight lost the belt he should deal with it take the road back and if he gets it back then he deserves it. If not then he doesn’t.
That was a silly comment from Lyoto..
the only way to beat machida is to stick ur running trainers on and chase him till he gets tired. machida actually thinks he fights aggresive, i dnt knw where he got those ideas from.i bet machida complains about the cage being to small.
Machida by KO, round 2…Count it!
Machida likes to aggressively hit and run.
Sounds like Rampage took a page from Lyoto…. Too soon?
Anyways, this fight will not go the distance if Thiago KO’s Lyoto, otherwise, it is going the distance via Machida’s “elusiveness”.
Finish Thiago quickly?!? Wow, it might be the other way around. It’s only Sokodjou that I saw Machida finish quickly, so he better be careful making bold predictions that he could never live up to!…..WAAAAARRRR THIAGO!!…Finish off this shotokan guy already!!
hahaha! Lyoto agressive…HAH, someone needs to watch there fights on video before they talk maybe, he is by far one of the most boring fighters out there. He knows how to win, but he does it in the most boring fashion. The only way i see this fight ending early is if Thiago KO’s Lyoto otherwise i see a long boring desicion fight from Lyoto as per usual.
If Thiago presses the fight he will get schooled. Period.
Schooled??? You mean Lyoto will run from him. Then when Thiago stops chasing Lyoto with thown a combo and run some more. This Machida character is delusional to think he is an aggressive fighter.
Machida is gunna win this fight regardless of when it happens. whether its by decision or if he puts his money where his mouth is and finishes Thiago. Machida will be LHW Champ by the end of 09… if dana finally gives him his shot!
i see machida running through him,and then running through whoever else gets in his way for the belt, dont like him or his boring style but he will
Hope you’re wrong Mr.Murders. I really like Thiago on this one. VEry interesting match up. Very contrasting styles. We’ll get to finally see which style is more effective. The technical striker w/a stick and move technique, or the all-out aggressive brawler who could weather a high kick[check out Antonio Mendes' kick]…
I agree… I think Thiago will win. Machida cannot counter when he is lying on his back from a KO.
“Thiago likes to fight aggressively, me too,” LOL
Not from the fights that I have seen him fight. More like Hit and run, hit and run. Sure it is effective but I would not call it aggressive.
i cant wait to see MACHIDA HAS THE LHW UFC CHAMP!!
this should be the fight of the night. aggressive vs. counter
I hope t.silva wins
What did Machida say!!! Thaigo better woop him because if Machida ever becomes the LHW champ with his boring fights he’ll suck as champ even more than Forrest
You must be a Rampage fan.
I’m a huge Rampage fan and even I don’t agree with that. lol
Damn, did he say he was aggressive ? WOW, anyways, I love Thiago Silva, but having said that I can’t see him winning this fight =/
Countering going on all night, sucks, but here’s hoping…
if Machida ever becomes champ with his boring fights he’ll suck as champ even more than Forrest
lyoto by submission.
“Not that there’s anything wrong with that…”
Machida can keep winning fights via deciasion, but he’ll never get a crack at the belt if he does. You need action fighters to sell main events and Machida just isn’t that. I like Thiago Silva in this one. He’ll push the pace and he’s willing to take some shots to punish Machida. Machida is mad over-rated. If he got the belt we could count on 25 minute snoozers everytime he has to defend.
Silva via TKO
Machida is aggressive and he is smart. Did anyone see him take down Tito at the end of the first round with some type of gable grip takedown, then just as quickly sink in the crucifix and start landing punches as the time ran out? Or maybe someone witnessed one or two of the jumping switch kicks he put on tito? Or the jumping knee to the mid section? Can anyone say They have won a single round against Machida?
Best post in this thread. An actual INTELLIGENT view of Machida’s skills as a fighter. Thank you.
I loved that Machida vs Tito fight.. I even like the fact that Tito.. by a hair almost had that triangle snugged in just right.. before Machida defended it properly. I loved it too. in between rounds as Tito’s face got worse.. all he kept saying is ” he’s running from me “..hehehehehehehe.. I would of showed him a mirror before round 3.
thanks OJR. I knew when i read the quote that there would be like 50 who would say something about Machida being boring or something along those lines. nice to know there are still a few people on this site who are actually intelligent…
it’s a pity it’s neither of you
JJ the Troll- It must make you feel good to go around and make quick *sshole remarks. However I would like to know what you find unintelligent about my post, perhaps your opinion contradicts reality?
JJ-
U need a hug.
Bloodymess-
Your welcome.
I like Machida, as a person. His fighting style won’t gain him any friends from the casual fan couch though. The casual fan wants to see knockouts and quick subs. They don’t know what a good game plan looks like and when they see someone back pedal to get into better angles, they think the guy is running. Machida is a great fighter but I just want to see a little more offense, not because his style is boring, but just so we can see more of the good moves that bloddymess mentioned. I mean everything he does is awesome, I just want a little more of it.
Agreed. he is as technical as it gets. I enjoy watching this guy fight
Can Machida ever say he has had an exciting fight?
….i think not lol
Can’t wait to make a beer runduring that fight,i’m sur when i get back machida will still be running
And yes i’ve been drinking now, wow look at that last post
Hey, by the way thanks for the props about being a 2 time vet in Iraq this morning. I wasn’t fishing for complement but it is nice to be thanked by total strangers,Id go back any day.Waiting for the day i get to go to Iran sooner the better.any way obama Sucks ass. Thanks Guys
As if the invasion and occupation of Iraq was not bad enough, an unjustified war with Iran too? Is something wrong with you?
By the way, Obama ‘08.
Iran is a rogue terrorist nation that hates the U.S. and has ties to every terror organization in the Middle East, including Al Qaeda, which has the backing of Osama “Billionaire” Bin Laden. If you’re an American, and I doubt you are, that should scare the crap out of you. If you think Obama has the sack to properly deal with this sort of situation then by all means vote for him, unless you aren’t a U.S. citizen and thus ineligible to participate in the selection of the next leader of the free world.
Not just american, european, american, canadian, and jewish…
Just want to make this country safe for my children.By the way have you been to Iraq. It’s easy to talk if you haven’t been there.What would it take for u tree huggers to go to war with Iran. a nuke going off in you back yard.
Thank you Pw.
Talking about nukes.. This Hydrogen bomb explosion in Russia.. F$#%d up my eyes.. It’s your there..
http://www.jokeroo.com/extremevideos/hydrogen_bomb_explosion.html
Guys.. watching this vid I felt like I was there.. during this explosion..I don’t think weapons like this should even exsist. One wack job with that in his pocket..and ” It’s the end of the world as we know it “
The best way to perpetuate war and enemies is to continue to declare war. If you always want to have enemies, just declare war on something. It simply creates more of it. The US has way more enemies now than it had before the Iraq invasion. I firmly believe there’s a peaceful solution.
And BTW, Iranians don’t hate Americans. I know many, and they have less ill-will towards Americans than most Americans I know (I live in Washington St). Politically the country may present itself one way, but the people and country don’t hate Americans.
Dave that is a tired old argument that makes little to no sense. War will exist whether America is the ones who start them or not. Is it not better to start the war than to have someone else start it? Iran is a rogue state that makes the rules up day by day. To put what I say into context, I am Canadian but feel Bush has done a good job of keeping North America safe. I don’t like him,like most Canadians. If you think that American wars only effect Americans you are wrong. We need to keep all wars away from our borders, and the best way to do that is to keep these countries in check on their turf. Iran is very clear as to what their plans are for nuclear power and will stop at nothing to obtain it. The US and every country with a sense of intuitiveness knows Iran would use a nuclear weapon at the drop of a hat. My boss was born in Iran and fought in the war against Iraq. They are a ruthless, callous, religiously fanatical people and hate the US for helping Iraq in that war. They wouldn’t drive passenger planes into buildings, they would fly weaponized attack planes into your neighborhoods. They don’t like you and are taking a harsh stance against your commander and chief, I thought this is when you guys stand up and lead the way to put them back in line. You would have to admit(even if I usually hate your country) that of all the super-powers who ‘owned’ the world in history, the US has the best “life model”.
Tito may have exposed a weakness in Machida’s game. I hope Thiago get’s him to the ground and GNPs him to a TKO.
I think so too! He must suck at scrambles, thats why he’s always backing up! I hope Thiago puts Machida on his back where he cannot run an pounds him out like he does everybody else.
It’s fairly tough to get two Brazilians to face each other…even tougher to get two undefeated contender Brazilians to face each other! I’m pumped about this match-up! They have opposing styles and very impressive victories over pretty good fighters. Game on!
I’d put my money on Machida because he’s more calculating and technical. Silva could get frustrated with his style and come undone.
AWESOME matchup!!! someone (other than tito floortiz) with skills is gonna go balls-out at machida! about time! love machida but i think thiago has the quickness and power to put him away. who do you guys have winning this?
Thiago! MAtch up nightmare for Machida. Vice-versa too because Thiago won’t be able to press the action for Lyoto is sooooooo elusive!
Machida all the way! MACHIDA FTW!!!
I hate that people talk trash on Machida. He’s very skilled at what he does. He doesn’t run. He’s a counter fighter. If he ran alot, tell me who was bleeding in his fight with Tito?
Truth.
Yeah, he’s no Kaleb Starnes. He’s a F*cking warrior. lol
Kaleb Starnes is a f*ckin’ d*ck! Even I had a better gameplan than him when he fought Quarry…And for all those other peepz who compare Starnes and Machida, go do your assignment first in mixed martial arts 101!…Class dismissed!!
for real, its way more impressive to be able to not get hit instead of being able to take hits, dudes got skills!!
people who understands MMA realises Machida fights gracefully and beautifully. Toe to toe fights are good to watch too but Machida anytime! Win by TKO.
i like both these guys but i hope thiago whoops his ass real good. tko in the 3rd is my guess. the whole 89 card is looking good
Machida typically creates a lot more openings in his opponents’ defense than he exploits. As his game evolves he will identify and capitalize on more of these opportunities, while using his current fighting style. By doing so he will be seen as more aggressive by fans and better his chances of ending fights early. I think that Machida should work with his camp on developing this simple, yet critical, aspect of his game.
If Machida decides that being aggressive means abandoning his style of fighting, it may not work to his advantage.
Most of you guys obviously haven’t seen enough Machida fights. His style is like Aikido (I’m not saying he uses Aikido, I’m just making an analogy), he uses his opponent’s own momentum/aggressiveness against them. He should be named El Matador, not Roger Huerta. The more aggressive the bull, the more impressive a show he puts on. Just look at the fights against Soko and Rich. Neither of those two guys take a back step, they just keep going forward, and Lyoto tooled them for it.
Pat – Agreed. The reason the Tito fight seemed lackluster (to others; I dug it) was because Tito was pissed because Machida wouldn’t come running at him. Machida is a counter-striker, not a GnP dude.
thats a great explaination. in mma, there are unlimited moves/positions. i just hope, Thiago surprises Machida with a sequence that Machida is not ready for, like a chop to the THROAT! UFC 89 is a sick sick card! Lucky Brits! WAR THIAGO!!
Machida is an extremely skilled fighter, agreed, but many people hate his style and he is not exciting to the CASUAL FAN. That is why Dana will not give him a title shot anytime soon. And personally I dont blame him. UFC is a business, whoever sells fights is gonna get the main event – and everyone knows thats Chuck.
Lol at Machida…Bottom line. Thiago is going to smash this kid. All you still be trying to explain how Lyoto’s “skill” and “warrior spirit” got his ass kicked.
I am glad people are starting to talk about the Machida/T. Silva fight. I really believe this will be fight of the year. Both these guys are the two most underrated fighters in the LHW division. And i personally do not find Machida to be a boring a fighter at all. He is extremely intelligent and patient and that’s why he is undefeated. I think a Machida/Liddell fight would be great.
Why do I get the sense that this fight is like watching an episode of Wile E. Coyote vs. The Road Runner?
WAR MEEP MEEP!
LOL!
Hahahaha!!!!
I predict this fight will go like Machida predicts. This is exactly the type of fight in which he does best. Machida’s gonna make Silva look like a gatekeeper.
If specific training means getting a new pair of track shoes so he can run around the octagon all night.
I just can’t help but love Machida. I love how noobs call him a runner. Running is when you switch your hips away from your opponent and crank your arms. Machida NEVER does that. He backpedals away from strikes and kicks so that he…wait for it…doesn’t get hit by them. Since he’s smaller than most LHWs, he has a speed advantage so of course he’s going to use it. Him not avoiding punches and kicks would be like Rampage or Tito not using their size and strength advantage. BTW, I’ve seen Tito turn and run. Can’t remember if it was against Wandy or Chuck, but he turned his hips and ran.
The other thing I LOVE about Machida is how much strength and power he’s able to get out of his small frame. It proves how a focused center and mind is able to derive strength where physically there shouldn’t be any. Did no one see him Toss Tito every time Tito got hold of him? Same with Soku. Soku is a massive and powerful fighter and Machida completely neutralized it on the ground. Every time he fights I’ll be there watching, in awe. The only guy I could see beating him is The Spider to be honest. Thiago certainly has a chance though, I wouldn’t ever count out that kind of skilled aggression, but I think it’s going to have to be a special fighter to take Machida.
Truth x 2.
I hope Silva is the one that finally puts Machida to sleep; Machida isn’t aggressive at all, he is purely a reactionary fighter and a boring one at that. If Silva can’t do it, then Liddell or Wanderlei will finish the job either way.
Machida wins this fight all the way, most likely in the second round by TKO. If Im lyin , Im dyin.
I think Thiago’s best chance to win this fight is to try to turn this bout into a grappling match. I can see this being a long night for Thiago if it stays standing.
machida is boring ass fighter.. im not much of an ortiz fan but ive fought guys like him in events and i responded in those fights the same way ortiz did. only thing is ortiz didnt really do **** about it. be more aggressive and get his ass on the ground & start ****ing him up
machida sucks
I just realised most people hate/don’t like Machida can only putting together a few words or few sentences, where as a serious fans who love him can put together a whole paragraph 100+ words, why is that!
I guess if you are a causal fans, you don’t have a good understand of martial art? I personally do WingTsun (Chinese Kung Fu), one of the main thing/technique we got taught is to never box someone who is bigger than you, because you’ll never win. The bigger person will always have advantage over the small guy.. That’s the reason why in Tito fight Machida never go in the range/reach of Tito…