Rebirth of the Dragon: Lyoto Machida Talks Quinton Jackson
By: Oliver Saenz Posted On: September 5, 2010 at 8:30am
You read that right: not “return”, but rather “rebirth”. Because that’s exactly what I think we’ll see when Lyoto Machida faces Quinton Jackson at UFC 123 in Detroit. The two former Light Heavyweight Champions are set to meet in a dream-match that will likely put the winner into direct title contention once Mauricio Rua heals up from another knee surgery and faces current top contender Rashad Evans. In an interview with GracieMag.com, “The Dragon” had some strong words for the man who once jokingly referred to him as “The Cheetah”.
Regarding his UFC 123 opponent, Machida had this to say: “A fight between two former champions couldn’t be more fitting, two fighters who want their place in the sun. He’s a strong guy who has good boxing and wrestling. I feel he’s a bit limited standing, but he’s really strong and, although he may defend well on the ground, he’s not that good there, either. As I feel MMA is a sport in constant evolution, one tends to seek out all the possibilities, regardless of the facet of the fight that comes up. I’m going to exploit Rampage where he isn’t totally dominant. But I’m prepared for anything, whether it’s standing or on the ground.”
As a huge Machida fan, I think now is the time to prove that “The Dragon” hasn’t been slain, only temporarily defeated. I was a fan of Machida from the beginning, long before his epic KO over Rashad Evans caused fans to bandwagon-jump on him in droves, back when people would endlessly debate whether his style was elusive or boring, whether he was an expert at picking his shots or a coward afraid to engage. I won’t make any excuses when it comes to his dramatic KO loss to Mauricio Rua, but I will say that the UFC has a long history of great champions coming back better than ever after they are handed a humbling defeat.
And not to discredit “Rampage” Jackson, but he looked very rusty in his return performance against Rashad Evans. He had problems with his cardio, he had problems landing bombs, he had problems finishing his opponent when he did land some bombs, and he displayed none of the great wrestling that used to be his calling card. I honestly have to wonder if Jackson’s heart is still in it anymore. With the “Rampage’s Rampage” scandal, his bitter feud with Dana White, his burgeoning movie career…who’s to say where Rampage’s head is at? Here’s one thing I do know: if Jackson isn’t 100% focused on beating Machida, he’s not going to beat Machida.
At the end of the day, this will probably be a fantastic match. Even at his worst, Jackson’s natural abilities are off the charts. And if there ever was a fight to be motivated for, it’s this one. As I said before, I think it’s very possible that a dominant performance by either athlete could put them into direct title contention. Both men are just so good and have such a great history of beating top opponents that ending this fight via (T)KO or submission would send a strong statement that the winner is back and hungry for a shot at the belt he used to hold.
But my money is on Machida and will remain on Machida. I think Jackson will fall into the trap so many others have fallen into: he’ll try to force Machida to fight, only for Machida to turn the tables and counter-strike him hard and fast. Machida has a long career ahead of him, and I think he’s destined for at least one more run as UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. It will be an epic fight no matter who wins or loses, but I’m looking forward to seeing the rebirth of “The Dragon” at UFC 123.
And what about you, fans and friends? Who’ve you got: Machida or Rampage? And why/how?
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Comments
Hm…. I vote Lyoto for the following reasons.
Conditioning? Machida.
Footwork? Machida.
Drive to win? Machida.
Striking? Machida.
Kicking? Machina.
Takedowns/ takedown defense? Machida.
Game planning? Machida.
Submissions? Machida.
KO power? … Rampage.
Lyoto has more tools in his tool box and is a bad match up for Rampage. Rampage had trouble with Keith Jardine’s unorthodox style … how much more unorthodox is Lyoto? Rampage couldn’t out wrestle Rashad. Lyoto can deal with wrestlers namely, Rashad, Tito Ortiz, etc.
How do you have Machida beating Rampage at takedowns?
Jospeh the reason Machida is beating Rampage at tackdowns it Machida is taking people down recently Rampage isnt even attempting, Rampage also got out wrestled by Rashad, whereas Rashad couldnt even attrempt a takedown on MAchida, Machida just doesnt get taken down simple as that.
Regarding the fight personally I am a huge Machida fan, he’s my hero and a big inspiration to me, he got me into MMA. I like Rampage to he’s charismatic, he’s strong, he’s tough, he dosent really have gameplans he just does what he feels like…. But yeah I’m not going to lie I love Machida alot more and I’ll be supporting ”The Resserected Dragon” all day! I think the creater is spot on, Rampage is going to try and get Machida to ”fight” and by so doing get sucked in and knoked out. Rampage has tried all ready by saying Machidas a cheetah and going to run I think its an intelligent idea not to get punched in the face its a good plan if you can imploy it sorry about the sarcasim. One significant thing that MAchida employs is he takes control of the distance when he fought Rashad look at the distance and notice MAchida was in a position where he could land kicks but Rashad couldnt land punches, this made Rashad very uncomfortbale about kicking so he got more aggreseive and got knocked out. Another significant point…. Rampage struggled with Rashad because he was to quick, he got outwitted and Rashad was to quick. If Rampage struggled against Rashad because of this how much is he going to struggle with a more intelligent, quicker, accurate striker, amazing timer, athletic MAchida it’s simple he cant. Rampage is goi9ng to get frustrated jumping up and down doing a tito and saying ”he’s running away he’s a pussy” and at the end of the day Machida will win this fight by TKO I think MAchida will tire him up on the stand up like Rashad did to Rampage, well Rashad used the cage and clinch. then Machida will take him down cut him up, and Finish him. I’m gouing for a 2nd round TKO…. The other thing Is Machida fights because its in his blood its not about the money or fame with Rampage its diffrent, There’s no way Rampage can defeat MAchida unless he fights like he did against Shogun 2 not taking it fronm Shogun, he’s the champ and he deserved it on the night! Rampage cannot defend Machidas style no one can! Rampage just hasnt got the patience, speed, or athletism, Machida will win not because he’s my hero but because he is the better fighter Rampage is limited, he couldnt take MAchida down if he wanted, and MAchida wont get the type of exchange Rampage wants so therefore he cannot lose! Also I like the creater he’s a machida fan, and i agree with what you said OSS (that’s a karete saying)
Also Joseph MAchida took down Shogun and Tito. in recent fights
Look at it this way.
Rashad beat Rampage
Rampage lost to Rashad
Machida knocked out Rashad and dominated
Rashad got knocked out and dominated by MAchida
Rampage vs Machida?
Also MAchida is quicker more intelligent and fluid then Rashad, and Rampage is alot less then Rashad…. So how does Rampage and Machida compare?
Kevin- the fact that Machida beat a guy in Evans that Jackson couldn’t doesn’t mean **** on who’s going to win this particular fight. Some fighters simply match up better with certain fighters. I see this fight going either way. I think its going to go deep into the 3rd round.
I’m a Machida fan, but Jake the Killer Speaks the truth!!!! you cannot…and absolutely should not gauge the outcome of this fight based on how Jackso or Machida did against Evans. It’s irrelavant! If both of those fights when down again, Rampage may very handily beat down Machida, and Evans could jsut as easily crush Machida. Anything can happen, and that is the bottom line truth! When 2 former champs are in the ring, it’s a coin toss every time! They are both capable of winning in dramatic fashion, and neither have a clear cut edge over the other. Analyze it to death all you want…..only fight night will reveal the answer!
I happen to be a fan of both these guys. I Followed Machida when he fought overseas and became an instant fan. I myself fight mma and teach judo and shotokan. This is an all around bad matchup for Rampage. For one he don’t like to train and his cardio is always garbage these days. Machida trains to win bottom line he will come ready to fight and in tip top shape. Machida won’t slug it out with Rampage he will counter and (point fight him). Forest beat Rampage with leg kicks mostly expect alot of kicks. Rampage won’t be able to take him down but if machida wants it on the ground he can take Rampage down easy. (Sumo Training). There just is not one aspect of this fight that Rampage has an edge in. And yes Rampage will get frustrated and play right into Machida and get KTFO. If Machida chooses he can grind out a decision easy. This could be the end of Rampage his heart isn’t in it anymore and after this loss he may hang it up. Machida will get his title back in the near future. And I will be at UFC 123 to watch The Rebirth of the Dragon.