Quick Caveat : Evans vs. Machida Might Be Terrible
What I’m about to tell all of you is by no means news, admittedly this is more of an acknowledgment than anything else. But I would certainly be remiss if I neglected to state my fear of UFC 98’s main event, Rashad Evans defending against Lyoto Machida, falling flatter than Waring Hudsucker did from that 44th floor- not counting the mezzanine.
Some folks in the blogosphere have taken a crack at dissecting how champion/underdog Evans can best the elusive Machida with the help of clinch work, Greg Jackson’s master planning, and the ability to keep gas in the tank. Others remain loyal to the ongoing theorem that no one can genuinely figure out Lyoto- not Rashad, Rampage, or any assortment of octagon animal. Surely, the battle between “Sugar” and “The Dragon” will be strategic and curious…but it might also be more disappointing than Waterworld.
So before you crack open that savings account for the $44.95 it costs to order UFC 98 on pay-per-view, think for a second about what you may or may not be missing. And keep in mind that plenty of bars show UFC ppv’s for a reasonable cover charge (I usually go to Champps here in Philly if, you know, you ever want to meet up or something.)
Without getting all Bill Nye on the technical aspects of the match up, I will stand on my soapbox and declare that the most obvious stylistic feature of Rashad and Lyoto are that both force their unsuspecting prey to approach and press the action. We can agree on this, yes?
So, what happens when two fighters who thrive on countering the engaging opponent meet in the center of the octagon? I have no idea, but it could very well result in a back and forth that goes nowhere for 25 minutes. I highly doubt, rather I sincerely hope that such will not be the case on May 23, but it could. And if it does, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Caveat emptor.
Tags: Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans
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Same pre-fight analysis as the Evans-Liddell fight, ultimately.
Perhaps, although Liddell was eventually forced to attack Rashad which only resulted in his unconsciousness. I do not see the same happening to Machida when he meets Evans.
First punch wins the fight then.
I absolutely agree. Machida is way too smart and disciplined to just push forward wrecklessly.
The first COUNTER-punch, you mean.
Ya know, I think we have all had this same exact conversation with our own selves about this matchup. But I think over the last few years, and as cliche as it sounds, it always seems like the unexpected ends up trumping the expected. We were 100% sure Diego vs. Kos was going to be a passionate fury of uncontrolled hatred, but it was a boring feel-me-out 3-rounder. Jardire vs. Rampage we were sure was going to be nothing but vicious, un-checked leg kicks that would cripple Rampage. We saw none. I even remember swearing to myself that as long as Chuck could keep the fight standing against Rashad and avoid his wrestling, that he was going to be just fine. Again, I was slightly wrong. It seems every time I try to keep a matchup inside the box, I am dead wrong. But I agree with everything you say because its all true. And I hope we’re wrong yet again.
I also hope that we are wrong. I would say that Rashad will ‘blink’ first and try to charge Machida.
I think as well that the key to Rashad’s winning is staying in clinch if possible.
Well we all learn from our mistakes and if judging this book by the cover is wrong then so be it. I belive this fight will be lack luster unless either fighter steps up and fights. I hate fighters who are scared to engage time after time. Untill the last fight that loyoto had i thought he sucked. I kinda still do, so he should prove me wrong but unfortunatly he has to fight a fighter that trains here in the (505) and that is scarry… Why don’t fighters engage sometimes? If you are so good you should finish the fight. After all you are getting paid to entertain not hold the belt for as long as you can. Also you are a fighter so fight. If someone runs away catch them and beat the crap out of them. Thats what i think.
You’re also painfully naive about the UFC. Machida has several exciting finishes. He’s beaten everyone who has been put in front of him. Why? Precisely BECAUSE he doesn’t charge headlong into a situation. You think he sucks? You’re a fool.
“but unfortunatly he has to fight a fighter that trains here in the (505) and that is scarry…”
Seriously? You really think that where a fighter LIVES counts towards anything? That comment makes you sound like one of the Diaz-boi lovers who thinks that just because of where they live they can kick anyone’s a$$.
It’s precisely that kind of uninformed ignorance that shows your naivete about MMA.
I’m not too concerned about the Machida v Evans fight…. The thing is one will have to engage, and I actually believe that Rashad will attempt to chase down Lyoto in the 2nd and 3rd round, I do however believe that the first round will be a touch and go pawing at one another type thing….
My worry is quite frankly the Matt v Matt fight, I think that will most likely be the boring fight of the night…. This isn’t the best card put on by the UFC (definately better than the cards put on by other orgs tho), I think that the fight of the night will be Edgar v Sherk, anyways it won’t break the bank for me ordering this card so I believe I will do so and watch Lyoto walk away with the belt…
Well said.
i cant see matt the prat vs matt the twat being a bad fight to be honest.. i know its a bore after such a long time. but i really do believe there is genuine hate. hughes could very well come out swinging (which results in hughes going to sleep) or we see some of the old matt hughes (ego and all). i can really see this going the same way as hughes trigg 2.
Machida is very technical MMA fighter. Mix karate and brazilian jiu jitsu. the great kombat is coming
Hey! . . . . . . I like Waterworld!
amen brother
i agree with fr and think the first round will be a feeler-outer, with machida winning due to kicks. 2nd round more of the same. 3rd round will cause evans to press the action and I think thats where machida will get him. machida by third round ko. I really dont like the card and I only want to see two figths on it, which are machida-evans, and sherk-edgar. I am going to watch this at champs, and I highly recommend that you guys do watch this at some sports bar and pay a 10 dollar or less cover instead of the full cost. I think this is a weak card, but it might turn out to be a great one, however it might not. I think the next cards that look great are 100, and 101. thats me though
I’m in the air about this one. Unless Lyoto clearly wins the first two rounds I don’t see Rashad feeling he needs to press so hard. Remember, he is the champion and it’s up to the challenger to press for the most part, if it’s just the two of them dancing around Rashad will win (unless he plays like Kalib Starnes).
Matt v Matt.. could be a very boring fight although I think there’s enough bad blood there that they’ll each want to hurt the other, should preclude any lay’n'pray (hopefully).
We really never seen Machida’s ground skills demonstrated in the cage yet. I know he’s a karate expert but if you’re not seasoned in every discipline you won’t last long, especially as a champ. I like both fighters I’m pulling more for Shad though I’m sick of people saying he’s not that good… he is the champ after all. No one gave him a chance in hell against Liddell and look what happened. IMO take Machida down [if ya can] and pound the sheoott out of him ala Griffin. Not positive it will work but neither will getting hit by him either just ask Thiago Silva.
never seen Machida’s ground skills? you might want to go back and rewatch the Ortiz fight.. he dominated Tito on the ground (although tito is given soooo/too much credit for one triangle attempt) and you might want to go back and watch Machida sub Sokoju…
I honestly think that the 101 card is pretty wack except of course the main and co-main event. I’m going to Portland for 102 it’s a really stacked card and of course my favorite fighter {Couture} just happens to be head-lining the card. Maybe his last I sure wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Hey, thanks for the totally irrelevant comment. We here at Non-Sequitur Island live for your marvelous contributions.
” Run Forest, Run…”
Machida will run and run and run in circles around the ring. I really hope Evans can keep Machida against the fence, and knock his block off…
This fight is going to be more exciting than most people think. Seems like some people have already forgotten about Lyoto Machida’s fight with Thiago Silva. He attacked a lot from the beginning. Silva was pressing the action, but so was Machida who scored more than one takedown and managed to drop Thiago twice. Machida is very allusive and does wait to counter punch,however he also takes advantage of any openings he notices. Rashad Evans does not attack as much as Machida, Machida is strking while also being on defense mode, but he still looking for the opportunity to attack. Evans mostly sucks his opponents in and then he looks to attack.
I’m sure that they’ll both feel eachother out in the first round. I see Machida attacking first, but not agressively, i feel he’ll problably try to make Evans think he’s going to engage and look for the opening to make Evans pay. If Evans choses to attack i feel he will do so by attempting to take the fight to the ground, i doubt that he wiil move foward and strike with Machida, i don’t think he’ll wanna risk it.
If the fight makes it pass the first round, i feel that both fighters will turn up the pace making for the kind of fight we all want to see. I don’t see this fight being boring in any way, on the contrary i see this fight being one of the best ever.
Evans is very fast,but if he plans to knock Machida out like he recentky stated, it’s not going to be as easy as he thinks. Machida is another fighter than can generate power from his punches while also having great speed behind them. Evans has speed in his punches but has to load them like in the Liddell fight, the punch that koncked him out, Rashad clearly winded up before throwing it.
if the fight reaches later rounds the fight will be up for grabs. Rashad and Machida both have good cardio, but i have seen them both get somewhat winded when they’ve been in hte 3rd round. If the fight were to go to the 3rd or fourth i feel that Machida would problably have the advanage, not because he has better conditioning than Evans, but because they’ll both be somewhat tired which would allow Machida to stop any takedowns Evans would attempt and put him in dangfer of getting ko’d or tko’d because Machida has better stand-up.
Each of these two guys can finish eachother at any time. I truly feel this will be a very exciting fight that can go the distance, but most likely will not. I’m personally rooting for Machida but the fight can go either way.
Machida by tko in the late 3rd.
i bet you after that last Anderson Silva fight, Dana has made it clear to everyone involved in a Main Event that if they put on a boring show, he will be VERY unhappy with them…in so many words…plus or minus quite a few f-bombs.
If both Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida refuse to press the fight or be agresive and this turns out to be a boring fight, Evans will problably have the advantage because it would force Machida to attack because he is the challenger and if the fight goes to a decision, you’d have to beat the champion decisively to get the nod, and just countering won’t get you that decision. But i highly doubt that theses guys are just going to wait for the other to attack because both guys wanna prove that they are for real and can dominate and defeat the best guys at 205.
I totally agree about the fact that it’s the challenger who has to decisively beat the champ when it goes to the judges.
The UFC doesn’t always go by that though. Forrest griffin imo opinion didn’t decisively beat rampage and still won. This certainly has all the makings to go to a decision, but i honestly think that machida doesn’t want to win by decision therefor will make it an exciting fight no matter how much running “sugar” plans on doing. I wonder what kind of strategy greg jackson has for rashad. I’m sure it’s a very catious and technical one. Rashad isn’t good enough or confident enough in his stand up to attack mr “illusive” so if it is a boring fight, it will probably be cuz “sugar” wants to dance all night. If machida wins i think were going to see a new kind of champion for a long time. I feel he’s too good, confident and unique for any fighter @ 205 at the moment and he’ll be champ for a while. Can’t wait to see “sugar” get his ass kicked
The UFC doesn’t decide the winners and/or losers of fights, the judges do, who are employed by the athletic commissions, not the UFC.
justin,
i’m sure thats what Jazzkok meant, i’m also sure he’s aware that the judges are not employed by the UFC
Then he shouldn’t say “the UFC doesn’t always _____, here’s an example to prove my point”.
Dbiz,
It’s flattering that you’re so passionate about what i’m saying. I didn’t know you were a fan.
I could always use another
dbiz, why don’t you share some of your insight because you know so much about the sport … wink wink
dbiz, dude…..?
How about this: If you don’t finish your guy, grab the astroglide because Cecil Peoples is coming.
i want rashad to win simply cuz i wanna see him and rampage fight. that said i think machida wins. i havnt seen anyone come close to even figurin out how to counter his style. u cant get close to the guy. hes like a wisp of smoke. ive seen people try to take him down and they fail. ive seen people try to bang wit him and they fail. idk wat u gotta do to beat that guy but lets hope rashad and greg jackson can figure it out
yeah justin that’s what i meant dude
nobody has figured out his style?? in know someone that came pretty close: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-bRZmwRWV4
granted it was a long time ago….but i still think that machida goes down in the 2nd.
I HAVE FIGURED OUT HIS STYLE !!! VERY SIMPLE !!! HE ATTACKS THE MOMMENT HIS OPPONENT ATTACKS. INSTEAD OF BLOCKING OR DUCKING OR STEPPING BACK, HE STEPS INTO THE PUNCH, WEAVES AND SLIPS HIS SHOTS IN. LOOK FOR IT, THATS DA SECRET GUYS !!!
Evans wins this fight. Hes stronger, faster, and a better fighter than Machida. He has more power in his punches, better takedowns and their equally elusive. Its simple. Best case scenario for Machida is he pulls out his track shoes and loses a boring decision.
I think that you and me are the only ones who actually see Rashad as the threat that he is. Machida granted is no walk in the park, but noone in the LHW div is going to decisively beat Rashad right now… including Quinton Jackson. And Jazzkok, i think that youre wrong about Evans not being confident or good in his striking. 3 dudes going unconsious (including a UFC hall of famer) against him make me think so. Rashad is probably the best striker in the UFC.. in my opinion of course.
Curt, well lets not get carried away now… “best striker in the UFC”.. I’m not so sure about that tho I will respect your point of veiw on the matter..
Rashad has done some really good things in his time in the UFC no doubt, he keeps getting better and better, never the less IF he cannot take Lyoto down I don’t see him taking this fight, Lyoto has never lost a round in the UFC thats impressive, I’m just saying I do see Rashad’s talent but without throwing Jardine in against a potential opponent what kind of gameplan is the great Jackson going to come up with
I do however see this being one hell of a fight, can’t wait
Side note….. Lyoto Machida (-220 to – 205)
Rashad Evans (+180 to +165)
this is the betting line(s) for the main event UFC 98 I thought it was rather interesting..
Sokoudjou took round 1 against Machida. Sokoudjou actually looked very good against him in that round and scored an impressive takedown..
I can see why everyone including I say this is gonna be one boring fight. Even Dana and Joe Rogan didn’t sound convincing when trying to hype the fight no excitement in their voice or tone what so ever. But as my boy Fr702 said other organizations put on worse fight cards!! So I Too shall pay my 44.95 and support this card. Besides I can for one night tear myself away from the strip club the girls wont miss my $50 too too too much . {I dont guess}
Bzul – Curt
I too believe Rashad takes this one. I am a Rashad evans fan!! IMO the one person capable of beating Lyoto is Rashad…. He got Greg jackson master of game plan and GSP as his training partner {karate guy himself} and he too is undefeated as stated!
Rashad RETAINS HIS TITLE Gents!!
I’m gonna call it now, and i’m willing to eat crow, cause everyone always counts this guy out for some reason..Even though he is the LHW Champ……
Yeah Rashad has never faced anyone like Lyoto BUT neither has Lyoto faced anyone like Rashad..a Undefeated guy and Awesome Wrestler, Striker with KO power, Speed, timing and super Athletic!! Should be a great boring fight…lol but a goood one…
It is interesting to note: When lyoto moves away or counters its called intelligent or he’s so elussive..
When rashad moves away or counters it’s called runing and boring.. Why is that???
Fr702
Your my boy, and you know that but what were the beating odds for
Tito/Evans
Liddel/Evans
Forrest/Evans
Machida/Evans??????
Fr702 I love you dude but your boy is going down homie!! Just like when you dared go against me for Wandy/Rampage!! How dare you!! You are being pretentious!! Now its war….but not really LOL!!!
Excuse me…I’m the only one allowed to start holy wars over opinions on mmafrenzy.com.
Why do people doubt Rashad so much? Don’t forget he’s UNDEFEATED also. He is every bit as fast as Machida and I believe a lot stronger than him too. If anyone in this match is going to be running, it’s not going to be Rashad. When has he ever ran from anyone? If anything Lyoto is the track star. He is [Machida] probably just as elusive as Anderson. The only knock I have on him is that he’s afraid to get hit granted that’s not the objective but I believe with a hard shot to the chin it will answer a lot of questions at least I have, about how durable he will be after being hit hard. I don’t think anyone has even got close to K.O.ing him. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Props, Eric, on the Hudsucker Proxy reference. Good stuff.
Eric – do you not see machida being the aggressor? get in and get out style?. i can see it playing out that way. almost Anderson Silva-Esq, with a slightly less flair and a tad more caution.
i definitely think rashad is capable of taking down lyoto, if anyone had a chance of mimicking lyoto in training gsp would be right up with my top picks.
i see lyoto winning this fight 7 out of 10 times.. but look out for a head kick or 2 from rashad
Hey I just thought about this but I guess its obvious but neither one of these guys have ever went past the 3rd round in a fight.
Soo we really dont know what they fight like in championship rounds or fully tested to their limits in the 5th pushing the fight dead tired and hurt. Has anyone seen anyone of these guys legitimately hurt in a fight???
Oh well it probably still wont go past the 3rd..
I think rashad’s cardio is pretty solid, cause tito has always had a good gas tank but it was rashad who was pushing the pase more at the end of the third in their fight, and saved himself a loss
everything’s been said…..
Waterworld was a GREAT movie!!!!
Hahahahahahahahah!!!
I’ll say it again 4 rashad’s benefit-
I HAVE FIGURED OUT machida’s STYLE !!! VERY SIMPLE !!! HE ATTACKS THE MOMMENT HIS OPPONENT ATTACKS. INSTEAD OF BLOCKING OR DUCKING OR STEPPING BACK, HE STEPS INTO THE PUNCH, WEAVES AND SLIPS HIS SHOTS IN. LOOK FOR IT, THATS DA SECRET GUYS !!!
Um.. two fighters who love to counter.. I think we saw that when Silva **** the bed in his last fight. I think if pushed to do it Machida will walk up and knock Rashads face off. Maybe who knows, but I think there is a lot more then we have seen to The Dragons game.
Who knows I paid for the Silva ****show and there is no way this fight will be that bad. I doubt it will make a descision.. which is what your saying right you think it will be a boring descision?
Terrible? Boring? I see some of you are complaining that Machida is boring to watch, even though he has won every fight he has been in, which is the objective of the sport. Apparently you’ve never competed in a ring sport otherwise you would appreciate the sport. I can’t stand to watch golf or hockey on TV, but I respect that for those who play or have played it is entertaining. If you think points and matches should be scored and won on entertainment value or style, why don’t you devise a set of rules that would work and send them to Dana White? Until then, don’t watch MMA, boxing or wrestling because you will be bored. Instead, you should continue to watch your favorite sport- figure skating.
The post that claims Machida lost a round to Sokoudjou is incorrect. Machida has never lost a round in the UFC. (Look it up.)
I just threw those numbers out there cuz I thought they were interesting…. Ya Rampage ko’d Wanderlei I know but Wanderlei did it first… and twice…and better.. and held the belt while doing it…
Do you really want a war with me
I think not, but seriously its not that I don’t like Evans for ko’ing Liddell or (t)ko’ing Griffin or tying Ortiz, I think he is brash extremely talented always improving and exciting to watch… I can take it either way, but I just think that Lyoto is going to come away the champion I could be totally wrong on this but hey the 23rd we will find out forsure…
That’s it Fr702
I cantstand it till I can’t STANDS NO MORE!!! Yeah Rampage lost yeah he did and yeah he lost again brutally again, soooo uhmmm…. yeah…
Okay your right Wandy was the man I cant even lie buttttt RAMPAGE is the man now and you know you like it.
And I know you secretly hate Rashad for KO’ing your boy Liddel, and Forrest I know it, and your really gonna hate him beating Lyoto ADMIT IT Fr !!!
I WANT THE TRUTH!!!
The truth is this….
While I sat in a bar in Oklahoma drinking my 3/2 beer not feeling any effects of this “beer” what so ever watching the last oppritunity for the great Liddell to get a shot once again at HIS LHW title I felt that Chuck was winning that UFC 88 bout til he got lazy and ate a overhand right that sent him to bed without dinner… I was soooo upset about that evening that my brother and I proceeded to drink often and fast til 5am (okie time) to ease the pain I wasn’t feeling…. The Liddell fight that Evans won was proper timing and Rashad coming into his own, but sucked a bit for me cuz I had to get intoxicated and have fun, soo sucks…
The Griffin fight was a decent fight tho I wanted Griffin to win I knew that at any point that Evans could have won that battle and he did, good on him…
Lyoto v Evans, I’m going for Machida, I would like for him to be the champion at the end of the UFC 98 event.. Yet if Rashad does win the battle I can be pretty happy I guess cuz at that point I will be able to see Quinton “Rampage” Jackson kick Rashads asssss, its a win win for me…
Its not that I dislike Rashad, I think he is exciting, brash, always improving and has the swagger of a champ, but I have to go with Lyoto on UFC 98, it should be a hell of a fight…
Wanderlei v Rampage are just classic bouts, I was shocked at the ko of Wanderlei, not that I didn’t think that Rampage could do it,more over the fact that Wanderlei came out timid and that was the shocker for me, hey man I have my favorite fighters (who doesn’t) but the game itself is just a pleasure to watch for me atleast….
I thought you were from Cali???
Either way man I was just clowning ya anyway.. I love Forrest as you already know, and Liddel is/was a great fighter. I saw eary in Rashad that he was evolving much like Forrest was in his career. Especially when he decisively beat Bonner.
I like the fighter spirit that Lyoto embodies and it translates well in his character and personality as well as his fights. He is an anomaly I give him that for sure…Who in the worl actually fights karate style in mma and win and is undefeated?? Only HIM!!
Rashad is such a athlete and I only see him getting better even in a loss. Imagine if you actually attacked first and push the pace like a GSP… It’s only a matter of time till he starts to do that. Look out world.. You heard it here first…
Rampage/Wandy that rivialry is my favorite in all of mma, and the best fights I’ve seen. Even in losing those first 2 I still enjoy them and get excited about those two fighting.
I hear people say Wandy was timid and overly cautious but you gotta know-HE {wandy} knew this is another version of Rampage, and when he {wandy} did swing for the fences you see what happened… Sooo if he just ran out there beserker rage fist a blazing he probably woulda got Knocked out sooner… Rampage isn’t just a strong wrestler anymore like in pride he does have good solid boxing KO power now in both hands rather than just his right. but good stuff anyway I hope they fight again. Best outta 7 series!!
Later Homie
Yes I’m from Cali (and live there as well), I also do a hell of alot of traveling and during UFC 88 I was in Oklahoma but never the less I know you were just joking and I agree with alot of what you put down, no worries my friend have a good one