“I think the fight will be the synthesis of the modern MMA, will have everything: takedowns, striking and I think we’ll do everything that exists in MMA, and the fight might be a stand up one. I consider you a tough guy, but I think my technique is superior.”
– Lyoto Machida talks to Thiago Silva via Tatame.com about their monster light heavyweight clash set for UFC 94 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 31. It’s a battle of unbeaten Brazilians that was originally scheduled for UFC 89: “Bisping vs. Leben” on October 18; however, Silva had to withdraw from the contest because of a back injury sustained during training. The winner of the 205-pound bout will likely earn the next title shot or at the very least be near the top along with the winner of the UFC 92 bout between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Wanderlei Silva.
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I’ve never wanted someone to KO someone else so bad in my life! If machida finishes, I might be forced to become a fan! Hoping for a silva KO!! I really don’t want to be a machida fan!!
Thats the only reason I find myself watching Machidas fights! Hoping to see him get knocked the f*ck out!!! Im glad they kept this fight!
See, Machida CAN draw viewers! Either people want to see him win, or they want to seen him get his ass kicked! The last thing you want in terms of marketability is for ppl to be indifferent. This is why Tito fights used to sell a ton, his haters actually helped the PPV numbers!
But Tito as the main event would sell! Do you think Machida/Thiago would sell as a main event?
I’m not saying he’s as marketable as Tito (was), very few fighters are. And I don’t think Machida/Thiago is gonna be the main event anyways. Both guys are a couple of fights away from main event status. But Machida is still more marketable than the average fighter IMO. The guy looks like a martial arts action hero out there, he barely gets touched. I’m not afraid to have Machida as the champion at all. There’s a lot of good fights to be had with Machida.
I see this as Machida’s fight to lose. He is the favorite in this fight, and rightfully so. I don’t recall ever seeing Machida in trouble in any of his UFC fights (unless you want to conisider Tito’s weak triangle attempt…). In fact, has Lyoto Machida even lost a round in the UFC? I think the Alaskan Asasin may have gotten 1 round on 1 card, don’t remember.
Thiago Silva on the other hand was just moments away from being TKO’d by Antonio Mendez who was a +900 dog.
In this fight, I see Machida frustrating Thiago Silva with his beautiful style that only the educated can appriciate, for the first rond and a half, and then near the end of round 2 I see Thiago over extending himself in trying to get a KO that Machida will capatilize and get the finish.
Then, and FINALLY then, some people might begin to give Lyoto his due respect.
A lof of you are still not acccepting Lyoto Machida as an elite fighter in this sport. However, the oddsmakers have taken notice. For thier original fight, Machida was a -240 favorite.
No, Machida hasn’t lost a round in the UFC, he clearly beat Hoger in round 1 with a knockdown, some clean counters and a little bit of GNP.
I agree with you VM. I have been a fan of Machida’s from the start. I know many maniacs consider him boring. However, I enjoy and understand his background of Karate. Mainly, don’t get hit. Don’t take punishment. Counter and win. That said, I would like to see him finish a fight and not out point the other fighter.
Whoa whoa whoa… its not about how educated you are. I don’t like Machida because I don’t believe he embodies the core of MMA. Effective Striking, Grappling, aggression and Octogon control. He is a good fighter but he lacks aggression in his fights. Sure, its his game plan to counter strike and outsmart his opponent, but I prefer the fighters who put it all on the line with every fight. Willing to take as many shots to the face as they give their opponent just to prove that they are tougher. Thats beautiful.
Chris Leben lost bro.
THe UFC needs to stop passing around Machida’s light heavyweight title!
Tiago Silva, I am a big fan of, but like VM pointed out, he is going to frustrate Tiago, and then Tiago will get caught. I want to see that fight go to the ground, I would love to watch those 2 grapple.
This is a great fight because win or loose, Silva is going to put Machida through the Fire! Believe that! not sure who to root for!
spOOner,
I hope you didn’t think I was calling you uneducated. One thing I love about MMA is that you can be a fan of guys who are willing to trade and I can be a fan of guys who counter and are elusive. But, at no time do I think that those who are fans of brawlers are uneducated. We just have different likes and this great sport can and does accommodate both of us.
Whoa whoa whoa Spooner, seems like you only watch fighters who can finish but you don’t see the technical aspect at all…
hahaha… don’t be jumpin’ on the bandwagon..
hopefully, thiago can knock machida out! i must admit though, machida is no doubt a big threat, and can never be underestimated. however, he’s a bad-ass!
then again, i have to go with thiago…. i NEVER once did put my hands up for machida. he doesn’t have that MMA look to draw fans. haha.
thiago via TKO round one.
I’m a machida fan, but if he wins I may never get to see Anderson Silva destroy the light heavy weight division, so war Thiago!
Guys, you might be forced to become a Machida’s fan???
If u like…or understand, Mixed Martial Arts u should to be…
This guy needs to fight already. There has been “talks” about mahichida fighting just as much as tito signing with a promotion!
That is due to Thiago Silva getting injured…
And no one wanting to fight Machida on short notice.
I’m rooting for Thiago, he’s got mean look.
this is a crazy clashes of styles, machida will probably pull it off though
If this fight has a fast aggressive pace, it will end quickly with silva staring at the ceiling. Otherwise it will be a slow paced snoozer like all machida fights. This is the fight during which it’s ok to leave the room and get a beer or 6.
thigao backed out last time not manchida. Manchida is a dull fighter but he always wins. I think the critizism may have reached him and we will see a more aggressive manchida.
It depends. I think Machida will always only be as aggressive as his opponent is. He’s a sumo practitioner, and while sumo techniques aren’t very applicable to MMA, he uses the sumo principle of using your opponent’s aggressiveness against him.
Is it just me or does any 1 else think 1 of the best fights of all time would be:
Anderson Silva vs Lyoto Machida.
It wud b silvas toughest test yet and I think id blow my load if they announced it as a fight! lol
Agreed 100%. The two most techinical strikers in the UFC going toe to toe. Unfortunately, they train together so it will never happen. But, boy oh boy, I’d love to see it.
Even said sneak peak footage of Black House sparring sessions would do!!
I would love to see Anderson vs Machida. Personally, I think Machida is a very interesting fighter to watch and he could be someone to give Anderson fits. I am not sure why people thinks he is boring. Especially because the Machida vs Ortiz fight I saw was Machida kicking Tito’s A$$ everytime he tried attack.
I would love to see Thiago fight Machida as well. It sucks cause I like both fighters. I think Machida would have him out matched… you never know though.
I think Machida is one of the best fighters to ever compete in MMA. Anyone who thinks he is boring are uneducated and not true MMA fans.
That argument is played out. How does thinking someone is boring make you uneducated? Winning decisions does not gain fans. People like winners and people like guys who fight hard and try to finish fights. Just because you don’t like his style does not mean you are not a “True MMA Fan”. The most exciting part of the Tito fight was because of Tito. I like Machida, but come up with something else.
Amen brother!
This “argument” reminds me of the film school students who think that anyone who doesn’t appreciate Andy Warhol’s art films doesn’t understand the medium.
This is coming from someone who likes to watch Machida fight.
I agree Manchida is the best fighter in mma sept for Fedor but he is still hard to watch. I run a jiu jitsu school in NC and started out in Karate like most and Manchida is still dull to watch. His fight with vernon tiger white might be the most boring mma fight in mma history
Bah. Uneducated, my ass. I’d rather watch a fighter bring it and have an exciting fight and lose then scurry and dodge his way to a decision win. If I wanted to watch a chess match I’d go to the old folks home.
Talented? Sure. Worth paying money to watch? Not in my opinion.
Not true mma fans? Just bc people think he is boring than they must not be educated or real mma fans? That is just stupid to say. Your the one that sounds uneducated!
yeah, i’m one of those uneducated fans, that’s why I hope that machida, who runs & hits over & over (the educated ones call it “elusive”) losses baaddly…
These are two of my favorite fighters today, both talented and exciting. I think Machida is going to pull it out.
Awesome. I can’t wait.
Lyoto Machida is a great fighter and people who dont see that are not real MMA fans. If you’d rather watch Kimbo Slice and some other brawler stand in front of each other taking punches to the head till one of them falls down … well then I understand why you don’t like Machida.
Machida wins fights using superior technique. Not all disciplines in MMA involve finishes. Machida is a karate fighter and karate competitions are technical, emphasizing point scoring rather than violence. If this is how Machida wants to approach MMA, i think that’s awesome. The reason MMA is better than say pro wrestling, is that its a sport not a show. Machida is playing by the rules and winning. He is a great fighter and brilliant to watch.
On another note, I have female friends who like MMA but are sometimes turned off by the violent nature. They love Machida and call him “The Peaceful Warrior”. If Machida can definitively win his bouts without even hurting his opponents, I think that’s an incredible achievement. Of course not everyone likes that style, but anyone who is a true fan should appreciate it, in the same way someone who likes stand-up can still appreciate a good submission game.
lol,lol,lol. dude it is fighting.if you dont like violence watch figure skating or tennis.lolol. this has to be the most retarded shite i have ever seen on this site.oh yeah, Machida sucks!
so what about a wrestler who lays on top of you and dry humps you for 3 rounds. within the rules and all that crap you spewed but boring none the less. no one denies his talent, just his excitablilitr.
that’s strange, I can appreaciate almost every mma fighter, but machida’s not one of them, thanks to your post, now I know I’m not a real MMA fan…damn…
Every time I think of Machida I picture him in a bar fight. Like someone spills a drink on him and not apologize. Machida squares up like he wants to fight him …. and then retreats his way out of the bar trying to win a be a counter striker as no one follows him. Always makes me laugh.
LOL…
I will be cheering for Machida! I love this match-up. Both are unbeaten and for sure this is their career’s most important fight. Machida has his record full of tough guys and he has beaten them all. I like Thiago also and he will surely bring the fight into Machida’s face.
It’s kind of funny though that I like Mr. Decision over Mr KO, but his moving is so ELUUSIVE (ever hear the word?)that it must be loved.
Machida by….what else, unanimous decision
Machida is going to kill two birds with one stone. Fight an mma match and run a marathon! Run Machida run
I hope Silva beats the s**t out of him! he pulled out or UFC89 and i was there so i want him to pay.
This will be the same ol Machida fight ( Kick -Run-Punch Run-Run-Run-Kick-and run some more)
Time to start RUNNING!!!
i dont think it’s gonna be the sam old machida fight, in fact i think thiago is gonna smash the “peaceful warrior” LOL! thiago is a ground fighter who has won all his fights by KO or TKO if tito can get this guy is a triangle, thiago is leaving with his arm. the karate kid is gonna bleed!
I don’t think this is a good fight for Thiago. This should be a good fight for Machida.
Manchida is way ahead of the game in his kicks. Finally someone who can front kick and throw round kicks with his hands still up and still balanced. He is a great fighter but sooo boring to watch because he takes no risks. His posture and throws and takedown defense are great as well. He would make a great champion, one everyone would want to see lose but never would.
Ye i agree there are some ppl hu just simply do not like machida due to his style and there are some hu dont understand his style…but the reason I love machida is because of his warrior spirit and his tremendous skill and ppl hu say he cnt finish fites r talkin shite because he wears his opponents down gradually and completely dominates them until they do not want anyting to do with him which gives him an opportunity to go on the offensive a la sokodjou. the fact is he is a careful and precise counter fighter and y shouldnt he be - he has never been even close to being tested inside the octagon plus if he even loses 1 match lyoto haters will be down his throat callin him a sham wich is total bullshit! dats how i feel anyway!
btw just 2 ask did anyone else luv how silva fought in the patrick cote fight because i cudnt get enuf of his movement it was lik he was gliding it was beautiful 2 watch really lol
Some of you internet warriors make me laugh. Such tough guys. Man, you guys really gave it to Machida in your comments! You guys embarrass yourselves. It’s always the guys that don’t have a single clue about fighting that are first to make negative comments. I bet you’re the same guys who chant “USA!” at fights and boo when fighters are trying to maintain position on the ground.
LOve both guys but i dont see Thiago getting out of the 2nd round, this has Machida by tko all over it.
Machida = overrated.
He did show me something with the Soko arm triangle, but T. Silva finishes fights, that’s usually the guy I root for.
MMA at the UFC level should be about exciting fights! Which to ME means finishes. Not pitter-patter punches or “sparring your way to a judges decision.”
I’ll pull for the following fighters- Wandy Silva, Thiago Silva, Anderson Silva - Basically ALL the “Silva’s” Rampage, Cane, Florian, Penn, GSP, and Evans(who is elusive too, BUT FINISHES)
Instead of the “Machidas” or “Bispings” in MMA.
Battle of two potential top contenders. Going to be a war but I think Silva can pull it off. Although Machida is very hard to fight.
this guy must be one of the world’s most boring sport personalities/entertainers today! he’s got nothing to possibly become any kind of a star..
I actaully think that the UFC put these two together because they do not want either of them to hold the belt. They are both good enough and both capable of holding the belt, but as far as filling seats and pulling in the money, it will not be enough to satisfy the UFC. Putting them together sorts out 50% of their problem.
correct.. and the biggest problem is Machida he is forcing away the fans with when he keeps on winning!
Ya he’s superior at running away and being defensive LOL, this guys bores me, almost of his wins are by decision.
I actually don’t have any problem with fights that go to a descision as long as they are good fights. I can also appreciate the skill of Machida as well and do not find his fights boring at all. I find him as antertaining as ANY fighter. It is amazing how he can connect with strikes on his opponent without getting caught himself. If you want to blame someone, blame his opponents for not having the skills enough to beat him. Some fighters may want to stand there and get there faces smashed in to please the crowd, I think Machida definately has to be the smarter fighter, walking away from a victory without a mark on him.
??? can’t you people get it? coz he always run away so fast after he hits, anybody who does that will never be caught.
Unlike Machida, Thiago has not yet faced top competition…it will be interesting
this will be a ground fight all the way…thiago will pull gaurd the first chance he gets…..come one he was won all his fight on the floor via gnp
thiago has finished all his fights by pulling gaurd and going to the floor…no other fighter that Machida has fought has a solid ground game and solid gnp..i see thiago silva taking it to the floor in the first 5 seconds of round 1…from there its his fight in my eyes.
i have to admit even though i like Machida’s style and clean technique i prefer Fedor’s way to destroy opponents. Machida is very elusive and yes he runs away, but his technique throws everyone out of their game. when he slides from side to side it forces their opponents to step in with big jumps which they are thought not to, also works because the punching power from those steps in lose power. I can see why many MMA fans don’t like him, i am fan of Machida and i can accept someone arguing that his technique is boring but i can’t accept when someone bashes him for no reason. we all like different fighters anyways. Machide wins this one.
I wonder what Thiago Silva/Rashad Evans fans had to say when they watched their heroes get crushed by Machida’s fist.
Thiago Silva is a brainless thug with anger management problems.
Rashad Evans is an awesome/entertaining fighter, but he’s a shameless ghetto trash talker.
Machida is classy, highly skilled, and lives and breathes Martial Arts. A true spiritual warrior.
Miyamoto Musashi was never defeated in combat. I hope Machida will follow the same path