[WhiteBeltsRule]

Machida is fun to watch-- when he's fighting an aggressive fighter.

I watched his fight w Heath and it was all you are describing-- fluid, precise, deadly. The only thing missing was a Bruce Lee scream after his strikes.

The counter-strike he landed on Soku was a thing of beauty, only appreciable in slow-mo. Slo-mo beauty being a Machida trademark.

That said, I still remember Machida participating in one of the worst fights I've ever had the displeasure to watch-- vs Vernon White. White was not having any of Machida's game, not charging in, literally begging Machida to initiate. ANd Machida wouldn't.

The audience booed to no end, and still neither fighter would engage.

I hope they match Machida up with Liddell next. Two counter-strikers who like to wait for their opponent. We'll see whether Machida has added a strike-first component to his game, or whether he is still the stubborn counter-puncher.