Can Ryan Bader solve the puzzle of Lyoto Machida?
Posted on August 3, 2012, 01:35 PM by Mike DrahotaWith UFC on Fox 4 rapidly approaching, Light Heavyweight Ryan Bader knows his chance is right now. He knows that Saturday, he is fighting for a potential title shot that should he gain, may match him up against one of the two fighters to ever defeat him. He is also thankful to be in this position whatsoever, as two submission defeats to Jon Jones and Tito Ortiz, consecutively, left the former rising contender with some re-evaluating to do. Bader has since rebounded nicely by knocking out Jason Brilz then soundly defeating Rampage Jackson by decision at UFC 144. Faced with the tall task of former titleholder Lyoto Machida this Saturday, Bader is looking to evolve his career with a defining win. Bader knows that he must fight smart to have a chance of leaving with his hand raised:
“After those few losses, I looked back and we had to change a lot of things. We did it as a team, and I got a new boxing coach and a new head coach, most importantly. He's put everything together as far as making each fighter the best they can be by taking their strengths and not trying to add anything that they're not really going to use. I've been working with them to do a lot of little things like footwork, head movement, and just putting it all together. I brought in a guy that is a karate world champion that studied Machida and helped me out for this fight, and I definitely believe that will be one of the keys to my success against him.” - via Bloodyelbow.com
Bader's new lease on fighting seems to have served him well as of late. The question is, can he defeat the elusive, unorthodox style of Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida? On paper, I would have to say no. Bader has appeared to have gone back a bit to his main base skill of wrestling, evident by his effective takedowns on Rampage. However, I see Machida as coming to this fight much more in shape than Jackson did, and using his surprisingly effective Sumo base as a means for controlling Bader's takedown attempts. Each shot that Bader takes will be answered with Machida's precise combinations if unsuccessful. Still, Bader always has the flash knockout capability in his right hand, and will look to find an opening for it. Machida knows all-to-well the ill effects of an overhand right KO, which came courtesy of Shogun Rua in his first career loss. When asked about the potential title shot , Bader's clear intent is to simply finish the fight:
“It's great, but it really doesn't change anything. I'm looking to go out there and win as impressively as I can, anyway . Right now, I can't really think about it.”
Judging by this week's interviews, both Bader and Machida are not looking towards that title shot. They are focused on the task at hand. Will that be enough for Ryan Bader to emerge victorious as the heavy underdog. I think he will put up a valiant effort, but the striking of Machida will be just a bit too dynamic for Bader to handle. I could see this one actually going to a decision. Either way, it should provide a great fight for the fans. What are your thoughts? Does “Darth” Bader stand a chance when he enters the Octagon to face Lyoto Machida on Saturday?
Further Reading: Return of the Dragon-Will UFC on Fox 4 be Lyoto Machida's time to shine?
Comments
He's been KO'd and Choked unconscious. I think the puzzle's already been solved.
Not everybody has the skills to solve the same puzzle and getting caught by a high level striker and the being put in a strange standing choke don't make him a solved puzzle at all. Machida via martial artist
True.....
I dont get the headline that there is a puzzle.....
It suggest Machida is undefeated or something......
The only way he's going to solve this puzzle is the scorecard.
He got caught by shogun in that fight, that punch would have taken any 205 fighter out, except maybe henderson lol. Shoguns style of controlled choas was the perfect fit to beat machida....its never been done since, shogun is the only 1 to give him a fight. Rampage was bullsh.it machida won that fight, even rampage was shocked when he was given the W. As for Jones, well we are lucky to witness this guy in our generation, i think he has the tools to become the GOAT, the next Silva, and the scary thing is he is still young, however...the choke his managed to secure was something only he could really have done, the huge height he had on machida and the leverage that those long limbs give him is often a advantage overlooked, every1 talks about the jabbing range it gives him, but the leverage he can get with submissions means he can slap a sub on any1 in positions they wud not think 2 defend....i am pretty certain no1 in that division could that to machida, even if he gave them an opening....He is still a puzzle, he has been caught once, and choked once by a freak of nature built for mma....no1 has come close to giving him a proper fight bar shogun in the first fight. Bader is probs getting hurt in this fight
I agree. He got caught by a healthy Rua and choked by a runaway freight train Jones. His decision loss to Jackson was highly controversial, even Rampage thought he had lost. Machida has always been willing to fight the best, he's a true warrior.
Shogun was one of the best fighters in the world when he took out Machida and I think his striking style is just a great match up against Machida's karate - very few people in MMA possess the aggressive Muay Thai style Shogun has and can knock a guy out with a single punch.
Being beat by Jones is nothing to be ashamed of and even Jon had to figure out the puzzle.
If Machida comes in super motivated and looks as good as he did in the first round against Jones (even the champ had a hard time with him) then Bader won't have to think about solving the problem, just wondering why he is waking up with a light in his face
I don't think so.
No.
Damn, you beat me to it.
This fight could turn out to be a stardown. Machida's style relies on his opponent making a mistake, Bader knows that. He might not want to charge in and possibly get caught with something. Hence, staredown.
Solving the Machida puzzle as the question suggests is an intellectual / strategic challenge rather than a physical one. Bader doesn't have what it takes in that realm.
I watched Bader's open workout video, and it looks like he's been working on his footwork, which is good, because it might stop him from being destroyed.
Bader isn't a rocket scientist, but he's nobody's fool either. I think he will do better than people think....as long as he doesn't throw those lame-ass kicks...