For many years fighters tried in vain to fix the Lyoto Machida puzzle. Now it is Machida's turn to solve his own dilemna - 205-pound wunderkind Jon Jones. This fight is a prime example of just Interviewing For That Perfect Graphic Design Job how quickly a fighter's share can soar or sour in the eyes of pundits along with fans (Jones' vocation doing the soaring in addition to Machida's doing the souring, relatively speaking of training). It is educational that Machida enters this contest as being a heavy underdog. Only two years previously the real-life Karate Little one was UFC champ as well as unbeaten. People were raving concerning "The Machida Era" - and also I didn't object. Only the experts exactly who had christened Machida were being quickly dispelled. After a 16-0 start, the fight game's almost all perplexing riddle dropped 2 of his past about three bouts (to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and also Quinton "Rampage" Jackson).
So you don't have to spend much time scratching the head about why Machida penetrates the UFC 140 title matchup like a sizable underdog (nevertheless not nearly as massive an underdog as Matt Serra was four in years past when he knocked out and about Georges St-Pierre and won the welterweight world concept). Jones - already crowned 2011 Fighter with the Year at the World MMA Awards - today represents an Reflections Of Life: Dark Architect Collector's Edition aura regarding untouchability and unstoppability of which Machida himself exuded just lately. Jones is 14-1, though that single spot is incredibly misleading (the lone loss came through disqualification for illegal elbows inside a bout that saw Jones manhandling He Hamill. It was a beatdown and so memorable it had the facility to send shudders via future opponents, making them think twice about signing on to fight Jon Jones).
Jones, a New York local, has never come close to losing a fight and contains never encountered even a lot as a three-second slice of the fight that didn't characteristic him essentially toying in reference to his prey. In one regard, Jones' domination reminds me of Mike Tyson just before his 21st birthday: The only suspense that arises inside a Jon Jones fight involves the length of time the other guy can certainly survive. "Who wants it far more? " and "Who's likely to win? " are NOT questions you thought about while watching Tyson in his short-lived prime. And they are not questions you consider during a Jon Jones combat.
And yet, mindful of the landmines that lurk if you underestimate an opponent, Jones has called Machida his / her most dangerous foe to date. I don't think it's lip-service; I think the champion is sincere - as well as he's absolutely right. An UFC.com online poll was recently conducted which asked visitors, "How long will Jon Jones reign Reflections Of Life: Dark Architect Collector's Edition as champ?" The results surprised me. 31% said at least another year. 15% said at least three more years. 11% said at least five more years.
43% of voters selected Machida to dethrone Jones this particular Saturday in Toronto.
Now, the polls are definitely not scientifically conducted here, meaning one person that has a computer could vote 10 times if they wanted to (false with a scientific poll). And I suspect which the raging nationalism and respect of Brazilian fans is pushing the needle a great deal. But perhaps fans will also be acknowledging that Machida is probably the only man in the 205-pound division that can match Jones' unorthodox tendencies in reference to his own equally unorthodox behaviors. Unorthodox usually means unstable, and unpredictable means the chances of "anything can happen" shoot way up. Make no mistake, these are the a couple of kings of unorthodox in the UFC.
An esteemed colleague associated with mine, Jon Anik, also conducted an laid-back survey among his twenty-five, 000 or so fans on Twitter. Anik posed the query: Who is the 205er very best equipped to beat Jon Jones?
The responses: Rashad Reflections Of Life: Dark Architect Collector's Edition Evans (34%); Lyoto Machida (24%); Dan Henderson (20%); Phil Davis (16%), etc.
And hey, just for some more ammunition in Lyoto's prefer, Machida and Jones were pitted against the other person on the UFC Undisputed Reflections Of Life: Dark Architect Collector's Edition 3 computer game. The results: Jones triumphed 18 occasions, Machida won 7. But, as Chael Sonnen would likely say, "we're going to find out" who the greater man is. Titles aren't won or defended in some recoverable format, or by reporter debates, or online fan content, or polls, or video games. Lest we forget, Rashad Evans is one heck of a fighter. 21 wins. And the only guy to beat Rashad Evans is .. Lyoto Machida. So Machida, a former UFC samsung champ c3300k, has been here prior to. He knows what it seems like to hold the UFC gentle heavyweight title, which, if ever there has been a hot potato amid UFC belts, the 205-pound belt can it be.
I'm very much eager for this fight. And it wouldn't surprise me to see Machida pull the angry. But my guess is the challenger must come in the Octagon with a number of new surprises, something nobody has actually seen before (something like the front kick that will TKO'd Randy Couture throughout his last fight, knocking out an entrance tooth). It will take several new tricks to triumph over the superior athleticism of Jones and his significant reach advantage (Jones' wingspan can be a whopping 84. 5 inches versus 74" with regard to Lyoto. And that reach advantage is obviously key for Jones since it allows him to be in range to hit and kick - without being in range to end up being hit and kicked through the other guy).
MIR VS. BIG NOG
Both of these folks, both victims of serious accidents involving motor vehicles, are lucky to end up being alive, let alone sharing the particular co-main event at UFC a hundred and forty. I've got to say which i have seen lots of super-tough guys in this specific sport - Wanderlei Silva, Frankie Edgar, Donald Cerrone and BJ Penn jump to mind - but Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira would be the pinnacle of toughness. He is the Silver Standard, the Bushido code personified. I've never seen a man over and over endure more pain as well as suffering and exhaustion inside pursuit of victory compared to the 35-year-old Brazilian. A black belt within judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Big Nog is unquestionably one of many great heavyweights in record, but there are lurking questions about whether all of those wars have taken his or her toll. His chin is granite don't, as Cain Velasquez shown, as Frank Mir proven during his first go-round with Nogueira several years ago.
I must confess, I never saw Mir beating Nogueira. I had presumed it absolutely was a bad stylistic matchup for him, presumed that if that they fought 10 times, Big Nog might gain all 10 of 'em. In my mind . the greater standup: Big Nog. The better ground activity: Big Nog. Who wants it far more: Big Nog. So I stood into the MGM Grand Garden Arena that night literally shocked as Anger Management: Techniques Mir abused Huge Reflections Of Life: Dark Architect Collector's Edition Nog, put on a boxing center and floored Nogueira 3 x. I ran into Mir an about a week later and told your pet to his face i was stunned that he not only beat Big Nog, but did it in such convincing fashion.
"No disrespect, I like you Frank, but I didn't notice you winning. "
Mir was 260 fat; I weigh 146 on a good day. This was actually my first ever ending up in Mir (before either people would start training B razil jiu-jitsu under renowned dark belt Robert Drysdale). So I'm standing presently there alone talking with Mir and being probably additional candid than I should (an unsatisfactory habit of mine).
"Before this fight My spouse and i questioned your heart, I questioned your cardiovascular, I questioned how a lot you Networks still down at Barts hospital following computer virus wanted it, " I told him or her. "I thought you were a bit lazy in the fitness center. Very The best way to Learn to Perform Piano. skilled and talented, but a little care-free as fighters go. "
I had thought of Mir as many had, particularly after the 2004 bike accident that broke his femur and threatened his or her career. And I told him what I thought, and congratulated him to make a complete and complete liar out of me and many others. The way Mir reacted spoke volumes about him. He just looked me inside eye, let me have my own say, and even shared a few of the techniques such as that uppercut/jab hybrid that came with a weird angle and held rocking Big Nog. He was a gentleman the entire time, never raising his words, never becoming defensive. I've spoken with Frank Mir more often than not since then, not always in contract on issues, and I've been amazed by how thick-skinned he is to the criticisms that many fighter must endure. Mir is a really confident man, a nimble heavyweight who thinks as being a lightweight, who can pull down moves most heavyweights wouldn't care try. And I must claim, the big guy has come quite a distance in the gym and it also shows because now he can fight three rounds tough. I learned my lesson not to count him out. In addition to as being a wordsmith, Mir is a technician, and if his wrestling continues to improve, as it has, the 32-year-old BJJ black belt will probably really be able and keep opponents guessing.
I was one from the people who thought Mir's win over Nogueira could have been a fluke, but I don't think so much more. Mir is just of which good. Big Ten Tips When You Date Younger Women Nog has only fought three times in the past three years, but says he seems rejuvenated after three operations. The win over Brendan Schaub was a type of turn-back-the-clock moments for Nog and he's about to have revenge on his mind Saturday in Toronto. He thinks it was a staph infection that will weakened him against Mir. That's what makes that rematch so intriguing. Fluke or Trend? We'll find out Sunday.
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