Comments on: The Dragon’s Future: The Next Matchups for Lyoto http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2009/05/25/the-dragons-future-the-next-matchups-for-lyoto/ MMA Opinion and Cheap MMA Gear Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:45:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: VEe http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2009/05/25/the-dragons-future-the-next-matchups-for-lyoto/comment-page-1/#comment-6635 VEe Mon, 25 May 2009 23:08:04 +0000 http://mmaopinion.com/?p=2951#comment-6635 Who can hit* Machida with a nice clean accurate shot? Who can steal a round from Machida? Josh, Rampage was the 1st champion to successfully defend his title since Liddell. @klown, Wanderlei said he will fight either 185 or 205lbs. He wants a rematch with Rampage and he would love to compete against Anderson Silva. Lyoto Machida matches: -Rampage -Shogun -Long Shots against Machida -Luiz Cane, he can take a shot but he has no name value -Jardine(?) Interesting matchup against anyone If Lyoto gets passed Rampage and Shogun (or his 2nd title defense) then I think it will be safe to say the Machida Era has begun. And the UFC will have another middle weight division problem, a champion without any real competition. However Machida is unlike Anderson Silva, challengers will not be able to steal a single round against the champion. *I don't think Griffin will offer ANY offense that will give Machida trouble. Besides I would really like to see Shogun-Griffin once again. <b>Of course I really have to ask, where are the Machida runs or Machida sucks rants and blog posts throughout the MMA blogosphere?</b> I am waiting for some one to say Machida still sucks. I am also waiting to see the FightMetric report for the fight, I believe Evans hit Machida at least 3 times, one leg kick jab and two hooks as Machida evaded Evan's defense. Who can hit* Machida with a nice clean accurate shot?
Who can steal a round from Machida?

Josh, Rampage was the 1st champion to successfully defend his title since Liddell. @klown, Wanderlei said he will fight either 185 or 205lbs. He wants a rematch with Rampage and he would love to compete against Anderson Silva.

Lyoto Machida matches:
-Rampage
-Shogun

-Long Shots against Machida
-Luiz Cane, he can take a shot but he has no name value
-Jardine(?) Interesting matchup against anyone

If Lyoto gets passed Rampage and Shogun (or his 2nd title defense) then I think it will be safe to say the Machida Era has begun. And the UFC will have another middle weight division problem, a champion without any real competition. However Machida is unlike Anderson Silva, challengers will not be able to steal a single round against the champion.

*I don’t think Griffin will offer ANY offense that will give Machida trouble. Besides I would really like to see Shogun-Griffin once again.

Of course I really have to ask, where are the Machida runs or Machida sucks rants and blog posts throughout the MMA blogosphere? I am waiting for some one to say Machida still sucks. I am also waiting to see the FightMetric report for the fight, I believe Evans hit Machida at least 3 times, one leg kick jab and two hooks as Machida evaded Evan’s defense.

]]> By: Matt C. http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2009/05/25/the-dragons-future-the-next-matchups-for-lyoto/comment-page-1/#comment-6630 Matt C. Mon, 25 May 2009 18:27:45 +0000 http://mmaopinion.com/?p=2951#comment-6630 I thought the post-fight press conference the other night settled who was the next in line. Several times in that post-fight press conference Dana confirmed that Rampage was getting the next title shot against Machida. As far as the other speculation goes I do think Rua is at least one good win away from getting a title shot. I like klown's suggestion of a Rua vs. Franklin match-up if Franklin beats Wanderlei. That would be a great fight in my opinion. I thought the post-fight press conference the other night settled who was the next in line. Several times in that post-fight press conference Dana confirmed that Rampage was getting the next title shot against Machida.

As far as the other speculation goes I do think Rua is at least one good win away from getting a title shot. I like klown’s suggestion of a Rua vs. Franklin match-up if Franklin beats Wanderlei. That would be a great fight in my opinion.

]]> By: klown http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2009/05/25/the-dragons-future-the-next-matchups-for-lyoto/comment-page-1/#comment-6628 klown Mon, 25 May 2009 17:35:23 +0000 http://mmaopinion.com/?p=2951#comment-6628 Machida will never fight Anderson Silva. They are teammates and would prefer to each rule over their own respective divisions. Assuming Machida beats Rampage, his logical next logical fight is against Griffin - assuming Griffin can get past Anderson. Otherwise, Griffin's championship dreams will be indefinitely deferred. The next option is Rua, but most agree he is at least one additional fight away from a title shot. Then there is Franklin-W.Silva. Wanderlei would be interesting but he plans on continuing the transition to MW after this fight and possibly challenging Anderson. But if Franklin wins, he becomes a Top 10 LHW and a top contender. In that case I would match Rua vs Franklin to determine the next #1 contender. Machida will never fight Anderson Silva. They are teammates and would prefer to each rule over their own respective divisions.

Assuming Machida beats Rampage, his logical next logical fight is against Griffin – assuming Griffin can get past Anderson. Otherwise, Griffin’s championship dreams will be indefinitely deferred.

The next option is Rua, but most agree he is at least one additional fight away from a title shot.

Then there is Franklin-W.Silva. Wanderlei would be interesting but he plans on continuing the transition to MW after this fight and possibly challenging Anderson. But if Franklin wins, he becomes a Top 10 LHW and a top contender. In that case I would match Rua vs Franklin to determine the next #1 contender.

]]> By: ironman http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2009/05/25/the-dragons-future-the-next-matchups-for-lyoto/comment-page-1/#comment-6627 ironman Mon, 25 May 2009 16:45:56 +0000 http://mmaopinion.com/?p=2951#comment-6627 Nepal, I think Shogun's a few fights out. That win over Coleman was pretty disappointing, and I think he's got a little ways to go before he gets in the good graces enough to get a title shot. Si, if the money is right, if the UFC tries to make it happen, I think its possible. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen, and I'm sure the management would be opposed to this matchup, but when the money wants the fight, the money gets the fight. Besides, like I said, that's the most interesting matchup the division has to offer Machida, I think. Nepal, I think Shogun’s a few fights out. That win over Coleman was pretty disappointing, and I think he’s got a little ways to go before he gets in the good graces enough to get a title shot.

Si, if the money is right, if the UFC tries to make it happen, I think its possible. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen, and I’m sure the management would be opposed to this matchup, but when the money wants the fight, the money gets the fight. Besides, like I said, that’s the most interesting matchup the division has to offer Machida, I think.

]]> By: Bill http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2009/05/25/the-dragons-future-the-next-matchups-for-lyoto/comment-page-1/#comment-6626 Bill Mon, 25 May 2009 13:53:45 +0000 http://mmaopinion.com/?p=2951#comment-6626 I can see Machida fighting Shogun next and Evans vs Jackson on TUF as well. But I don't think anyone who is in the top of the LHW division is going to handle Machida for a little while. I can see Machida fighting Shogun next and Evans vs Jackson on TUF as well. But I don’t think anyone who is in the top of the LHW division is going to handle Machida for a little while.

]]> By: Si http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2009/05/25/the-dragons-future-the-next-matchups-for-lyoto/comment-page-1/#comment-6625 Si Mon, 25 May 2009 10:02:52 +0000 http://mmaopinion.com/?p=2951#comment-6625 Anderson Silva trains with Machida, publicly stating that the LHW belt is Machida's rightful claim. He has also stated he would never fight Machida so I very much doubt this is a match up that we will ever see. Anderson Silva trains with Machida, publicly stating that the LHW belt is Machida’s rightful claim. He has also stated he would never fight Machida so I very much doubt this is a match up that we will ever see.

]]> By: Nepal http://www.mmaopinion.com/blog/2009/05/25/the-dragons-future-the-next-matchups-for-lyoto/comment-page-1/#comment-6624 Nepal Mon, 25 May 2009 08:33:16 +0000 http://mmaopinion.com/?p=2951#comment-6624 Maybe Shogun if he can find the skills of his PRIDE glory days. Maybe Shogun if he can find the skills of his PRIDE glory days.

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