Lyoto Machida beaming with confidence ahead of clash with Jon Jones, says "No One's Invincible"
Posted on October 6, 2011, 05:00 PM by Anton Gurevich
“I was at a birthday party last night and I heard I’d be fighting Jon Jones. I accepted immediately, I couldn’t announce it at the time, though. Ed and Joinha told me to hold the information and it was complicated, I had to stop talking at all (laughs). In the morning I want to give a class and, when I came back, the contract was there for me to sign it. It was a reason for me to be happy, because that’s why we enter these battles for. It’ll be a strategic bout, he’s a guy who studies his opponents and so do I. Our team is a lot focused and anything can happen.
It’s hard, he’s is much versatile and knows a lot of techniques, but we play a similar game. He kicks, I kick, he punches and goes to the ground, I can defend myself and take him down too. Stamina and game plan are things that could define this bout’s outcome. Nobody is invincible. We’re training for the best, looking for enlarging our body and mind and that’s what I’m gonna do.
I’m already 100%. I used to go to the United States for a different training camp, but I’ve canceled it all with the fight announcement. I’ll focus my camp here and I’ll look for sparring who can come here and will be tough as Jon Jones.” - TATAME
Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida will look to re-start his era at UFC 140, facing Jon "Bones" Jones for the UFC title. "The Dragon" won his belt from the original contender "Suga" Rashad Evans, who now finds himself denied a title fight for third consecutive time. Machida knocked out Randy Couture at UFC 129 via a Karate Kid-esque Crane Kick, bouncing back from the controversial Split Decision loss to Jon Jones' latest victim Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
Well-known for having unorthodox movement and distance management inside the Octagon, Lyoto Machida is currently 17-2 in his MMA campaign with 6 KO/TKO and 2 Submission finishes. Jon Jones will enjoy a 10-inch reach advantage over Lyoto Machida, who despite all the statistics looks like a very challenging match-up for the young champion
Comments
I am looking forward to this fight. Machida has skills which could give Jones problems.
Machida has superior takedown defense, and excellent standup in all aspects of striking. In addition, though we do not see it often, Machida has excellent ground skills. Machida's footwork allows him to get in and out fast, which will be necessary with Jones' crazy reach.
Personally, I think Machida and his style has the best chance at LHW to end the Jones era.
BTW: I heard Machida patched things up with Dana White.
He told him, "But Dana, you did not hear it right, I did not ask for Anderson Silva money--I asked for Thiago Silva money!"
The title should say: Lyoto Machida peeing of confidence
He's certainly not going to "end the Jones era." He might put it on hold for a while, but win or lose Jones isn't going anywhere.
bet seagal doesnt go see Jones be fore this fight
Anderson Silva will be a great training partner for Machida to get ready for that fight,
I was just going to post this. It wouldn't be a bad idea & there's probably no one else out there who can mimic Jones' reach & length.
One of the best strikers vs the most elusive man in MMA.
There's an error in the article - the article states Machida lost his belt to Rashad.
That's right!
He lost his belt to Shogun Rua. Machida wont the title against Rashad.
What? who, me? No! :)
"Lyoto Machida will be the one to defeat jon jones" - Shogun.
Finally! This is the fight that I've always wanted to see
I'll go for The Dragon!
He will aim to chop Jones down at the knees from the front and sides of the leg. With Anderson and Machida's fighting methodology aimed at the same young opponent, their fighting plan will be excellent.
With Jones tall-long frame, I can't imagine why no one has chopped and pushed at his skinny legs...
yay i finally get to root for machida. WAR machida!
bones will matyushenko his ass,, well thats what i think anyway
Shocking...Dana had the chance here to set up Bones Vs Dan Henderson.. Champion vs Champion.. The Hell with Slowgun...Give him Rampage.. But Having The Dragon vs Bones now is also interesting....
How can you weak a guy for saying Jones isn't going anywhere??? He's not. He wins this fight against Machida.
In terms of striking, I think that Machida presents more of a challenge to Jones than Evans. The Dragon's style is unorthodox enough that it might make it difficult for Bones to find his rhythm.
However, Lyoto depends a lot on counter striking and Jones's reach makes that a losing proposition.
And if he tries to use leg kicks, he'll end up on his back and the fight will be over quickly.
So in the end, Machida has the same chance that Rampage and Shogun had, and that Evans and Henderson would have, a puncher's chance, i.e not much.
For some reason I can't fathom, there are a lot people on this site who enjoying hating on Jones. And they'll have lots of opportunities, because the dude is going to champ for a looooooooooong time. Deal with it.
Like Machida said, both fighters study their opponents, that alone should make for an interesting fight. It's going to be more strategic than this last fight. Should be great.
And the hate mostly started because people believe what Rashad said to hype a fight. Apparently it does not matter whether his claims are true are not (some of them can be debunked by a quick search). Seems people forget how good Rashad is at hyping his fights.
The rest of the hate is partly due to people as of recent saying he "acts fake in interviews".... which is mostly a result of being forced to hype his fights now that hes champ. You could tell he was not very comfortable hyping the match at times with Rampage. Not to mention he's young and likely still has to figure out "who he is" as a fighter. Sometimes he seemed comfortable acting respectful and humble, sometimes he seemed like he was holding back. Sometimes he seemed comfortable talking trash and hyping, sometimes it seemed unnatural.
Just think if you had to learn how to both represent yourself as a fight and hype a fight as a champion at the same time. It's obvious that deep down he's still adapting to the spotlight - it's hard to believe but he has not even been in the spotlight for a year yet. He'll get more comfortable in time.
Joe Rogan will have a hard time explaing this one. Is it the Jones Era or Machida Era? Make up your mind ROGAN!!