Lyoto Machida not impressed with the rise of Jon Jones
Posted on November 30, 2011, 04:30 PM by Trent Reinsmith
The Light Heavyweight title bout between Jon Jones and Lyoto Machida is fast approaching and as is often the case, the gamesmanship is beginning to ratchet up. Jones, the current champion and Machida, the former champion will meet on December 10 in Toronto, Ontario.
Machida will be Jones’ fourth fight this year, and many believe he will present the biggest challenge to date for the 14-1 champion. On the other hand, many have said that Jones is the future of the Light Heavyweight division, with many fans and pundits prediction a long reign for the 24-year old fighter.
Machida, who had put together a record of 16-0 before falling to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, is not buying the hype. "Jones' rise doesn't impress me. I had my moments in the UFC, too." – for more see ABS-CBNnews.com
Machida’s statement is not false, as we are not too far removed from what Joe Rogan declared “the Machida era” after he took the belt from the previously unbeaten Rashad Evans at UFC 98.
What do you think Lowkick’ers, is Machida the fighter that will derail the locomotive that is Jon Jones?
Further Reading: Jon Jones: I would be more than happy to play Lyoto Machida's "distance game"
Photo: UFC fighter Lyoto Machida at the Black House gym in Gardena, California on October 20, 2009. Francis Specker
Comments
Jones' rise > than Machida's rise
machida rise had an aura around it like no other plus his KO over evans was the cherry on top jones rise < Machida rise but....
Jones ERA > Machida ERA
not even MAchida beat rashad and was the only man to do so !!!!their was six other man to beat shogun and he shouldve won in the rampage fight!!!!!
For this fight Machida has had 8 personal trainers, a boxing coach, and 3 cameras around his sparring area to record and correct his mistakes. I've also heard he gained muscle.
Machida is certainly well prepared and I think he can and will cause problems for Jones in this fight.
For sure he is well prepared but I saw his last performances and I was not impressed enough to say that he could take that belt. Just compare the way they both fought Rampage. The Machida/Rampage fight was very close none of them did enough make sure their clearly won the fight. The Jones/Rampage fight was just long enough to see Jones' striking AND wrestling advantage.
I think Jones is the first guy (or second after shogun) that will be able to outstrike Machida.
I think putting on muscle was a mistake, as its going to slow him down, that was Machida one advantage, and path to victory. 20 lbs of muscle will not make a difference when he clinches with Jones.
Wow thats impressive, and AWESOME. I love to see a guy TRULY learn from his mistakes and start practicing what he's weak on to become a complete fighter.
Machida was never sloppy and the fact that he gained muscle wshouldn't have a negative impact on his performance like it did when carwin and lesnar changed their weights, i hope it's a good long fight.
Hope AS has worked with machida so that machida is not only hard to hit, but he can take a punch like anderson if he needs too
1 and 2 rounds were close but 3 was all machida son!!!!
"He's not impressed with his performance"
Machida has good hands man. Might even produce a second KO, after Rashad, that causes stanky leg.
IFFFFFFFFFFF Machida finally becomes the opponent that will chop that Jones incredibly skinny legs and knee joints, he will have a great chance. Its sad and surprising that no other fighter has capitalized on this yet. Because Jones is taller, he has to bend lower, and the leg has been sitting before the opponent in a right angle.....
his ligaments, tendons, and even cartilage there is thinner than average.
Machida will be impressed when Jones beats the sh*t out of him.
I like machida in this one i think machidas footwork will be a major factor i see jon jones even tho he is long having a hard time tracking him down machida by decision.
Both guys had meteoric rises to the top. And Machita seems to have a solid grip on the fact that no-one is unstoppable; escpecially when you are on top. Jones may be the future of MMA, but that doesn't mean that he won't get beat while on this journey. Personally, I think that both guys are the future of MMA. Machita is just a bit further up the road to greatness at this stage in their careers. He has been brought brutally back down to Earth in his loss to Shogun. Maybe he can teach some of this humility to Jones in their fight. Regardless of who the future of MMA is; this should be a great fight that probably goes into the latter rounds.
Not impressed Lyoto? Let's see...
Jones was 7 years younger than when he won the belt.
When he defended it, he actually won the fight, instead of getting a dubious decision.
And other than that 'win', you've only won one fight since 2009. He's won five.
All the guys that have to fight Jones keep saying they aren't impressed. I'm starting to think it's really fear talking.
IF machida WINS im gonna drink my own piss!
eeeww
The Dragon is not impressed by your performance ..
The Dragon wants Anderson Silva Money for every fight after this.
YES MACHIDA! Please KO Jones. I too, will drink my own piss.
**** Jones!!!
Dam Machida sounds jelly!
Jones with start out by imposing leg kicks to machida. Then he will start softining him up. Once Jones sees that machida looksdrawn out like shogun did, he will go in for the kill and completely demoralize him.