For years fighters tried in vain in order to resolve the Lyoto Machida problem. Now it is Machida's turn to attempt to solve his own puzzle - 205-pound wunderkind Jon Jones. This fight is any prime example of the way quickly a fighter's stock options can soar or sour inside eyes of pundits as well as fans (Jones' job doing the soaring and also Machida's doing the souring, relatively speaking of program). It is educational in which Machida enters this contest as a heavy underdog. Only two years ago the real-life Karate Child was UFC champ along with unbeaten. People were raving about "The Machida Era" - and I didn't object. Only the experts that had christened Machida had been quickly dispelled. After a 16-0 commence, the fight game's the majority of perplexing riddle dropped a pair of of his past three bouts (to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in addition to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson).
So you don't ought to spend much time scratching your face about why Machida makes its way into the UFC 140 title matchup as being a sizable underdog (although not nearly as large an underdog as Shiny Serra was four in the past when he knocked away Georges St-Pierre and earned the welterweight world name). Jones - already crowned 2011 Fighter on the Year at the Planet MMA Awards - at this point represents an aura connected with untouchability and unstoppability in which Machida himself exuded not too long ago. Jones is 14-1, though that single imperfection is incredibly misleading (his lone loss came by way of disqualification for illegal elbows in a very bout that saw Jones manhandling Matt Hamill. It was a beatdown thus memorable it had the ability to send shudders by way of future opponents, making them think twice about signing on fight Jon Jones).
Jones, a New York native, has never come near losing a fight and has never encountered even a whole lot as a three-second slice of an fight that didn't feature him essentially toying together with his prey. In one regard, Jones' domination reminds us of Mike Tyson before his 21st birthday: The only suspense that arises in a very Jon Jones fight involves the time the other guy can easily survive. "Who wants it much more? " and "Who's about to win? " are NOT questions you been curious about while watching Tyson inside his short-lived prime. And they are not questions you determine during a Jon Jones fight.
And yet, mindful of the landmines that lurk whenever you underestimate an opponent, Jones has called Machida his most dangerous foe as of yet. I don't think it's lip-service; I think the champ c3300k is sincere - along with he's absolutely right. An UFC.com online poll was recently conducted which asked visitors, "How long will Jon Jones reign as champ?" The results surprised me. 31% said at least another year. 15% said at least three more years. 11% said at least five more years.
43% of voters picked out Machida to dethrone Jones that Saturday in Toronto.
Now, the polls are not really scientifically conducted here, meaning one person using a computer could vote 10 times should they wanted to (not the case with a scientific poll). And I suspect the raging nationalism and devotion of Brazilian fans can be pushing the needle a good deal. But perhaps fans can also be acknowledging that Machida is among the most only man in the 205-pound division who can match Jones' unorthodox tendencies along with his own equally unorthodox habits. Unorthodox usually means unforeseen, and unpredictable means the prospect of "anything can happen" throw way up. Make no mistake, these are the two kings of unorthodox inside UFC.
An esteemed colleague involving mine, Jon Anik, also conducted an relaxed survey among his 20, 000 or so followers on Twitter. Anik posed the dilemma: Who is the 205er greatest equipped to beat Jon Jones?
The responses: Rashad Evans (34%); Lyoto Machida (24%); Dan Henderson (20%); Phil Davis (16%), etc.
And hey, just for some additional ammunition in Lyoto's benefit, Machida and Jones were pitted against each other on the UFC Undisputed 3 gaming. The results: Jones triumphed 18 situations, Machida won 7. But, as Chael Sonnen would say, "we're going to find out" who better man is. Titles aren't won or defended on paper, or by reporter dialogues, or online fan posts, or polls, or video games. Lest we forget, Rashad Evans is one heck of an fighter. 21 wins. And the only male to beat Rashad Evans can be .. Lyoto Machida. So Machida, a former UFC champ, has been here ahead of. He knows what it feels like to hold the UFC light-weight heavyweight title, which, if ever there was a hot potato among UFC belts, the 205-pound belt is it.
I'm very much getting excited about this fight. And it wouldn't surprise me to view Machida pull the distressed. But my guess is that the challenger must come into the Octagon with a couple of new surprises, something nobody has ever before seen before (similar to the front kick which TKO'd Randy Couture within his last fight, knocking out an entry tooth). It will take many new tricks to conquer the superior athleticism regarding Jones and his substantial reach advantage (Jones' wingspan is usually a whopping 84. 5 inches versus 74" intended for Lyoto. And that reach advantage is actually key for Jones because doing so allows him to stay range to hit and kick - without having to be in range to always be hit and kicked because of the other guy).
MIR VS. BIG NOG
Both of these men, both victims of serious accidents involving automobiles, are lucky to always be alive, let alone sharing the co-main event at UFC one hundred and forty. I've got to say i always have seen a great deal of super-tough guys in this particular sport - Wanderlei Silva, Frankie Edgar, Donald Cerrone and BJ Penn jump in your thoughts - but Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira may be the pinnacle of toughness. He is the Precious metal Standard, the Bushido code personified. I've never seen a man over and over again endure more pain along with suffering and exhaustion in the pursuit of victory versus 35-year-old Brazilian. A black belt throughout judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Big Nog is unquestionably one of the great heavyweights in background, but there are constant questions about whether all those wars have taken his or her toll. His chin is granite don't, as Cain Velasquez demonstrated, as Frank Mir demonstrated during his first go-round with Nogueira 36 months ago.
I must confess, I never saw Mir beating Nogueira. I had presumed it absolutely was a bad stylistic matchup for him, presumed that if they will fought 10 times, Big Nog might gain all 10 of 'em. In my mind . the better standup: Big Nog. The better ground activity: Big Nog. Who wants it far more: Big Nog. So I stood inside MGM Grand Garden Arena that night literally shocked as Mir abused Huge Nog, put on a boxing clinic and floored Nogueira 3 times. I ran into Mir an about a week later and told your pet to his face i was stunned that he besides beat Big Nog, but did it such convincing fashion.
"No disrespect, I like you Frank, but I didn't notice you winning. "
Mir was 260 fat; I weigh 146 on a good day. This was actually my first ever ending up in Mir (before either people would start training B razil jiu-jitsu under renowned black belt Robert Drysdale). So I'm standing presently there alone talking with Mir and being probably additional candid than I should (an unsatisfactory habit of mine).
"Before this fight My spouse and i questioned your heart, I questioned your cardiovascular, I questioned how much you wanted it, " I told him. "I thought you were a little bit lazy in the fitness center. Very skilled and proficient, but a little care-free as fighters go. "
I had thought of Mir several had, particularly after the 2004 bike accident that broke his femur and threatened the career. And I told him what I thought, and congratulated him for making a complete and utter liar out of me and many others. The way Mir reacted spoke volumes about him. He just looked me inside eye, let me have my personal say, and even shared a few of the techniques such as that uppercut/jab hybrid that came with a weird angle and held rocking Big Nog. He was a gentleman the entire time, never raising his tone of voice, never becoming defensive. I've spoken with Frank Mir often times since then, not always in contract on issues, and I've been amazed by how thick-skinned they are to the criticisms that many fighter must endure. Mir is a really confident man, a nimble heavyweight who thinks as being a lightweight, who can pull down moves most heavyweights wouldn't dare try. And I must claim, the big guy has come a long way in the gym and it also shows because now he'll fight three rounds tough. I learned my lesson not to count him out. In addition to being a wordsmith, Mir is a technician, and if his wrestling continues to improve, as it has, the 32-year-old BJJ black belt will really be able and keep opponents guessing.
I was one from the people who thought Mir's win over Nogueira could have been a fluke, but I don't think so much more. Mir is just that will good. Big Nog has solely fought three times in the past three years, but says he seems rejuvenated after three operations. The win over Brendan Schaub was among those turn-back-the-clock moments for Nog and he's about to have revenge on his mind Saturday in Toronto. He thinks it was a staph infection in which weakened him against Mir. That's what makes that rematch so intriguing. Fluke or Trend? We'll find out Sunday.
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