The Official Machida Sub-forum

[Jeezus]

I think Tito will take him down and pound him out. Let's not go thinking Machida is a Chuck Liddell clone and that the fight will go the same way. Dragon is more well-rounded, but not as specialized in KO's and TD defense, which are why Chuck beat Tito. Tito will get him on the ground and beat his face in.

He'll train hard because he knows if he goes out of the UFC a loser, his post-MMA celebrity stock drops drastically, and if he elects to sign elsewhere to keep fighting, he will make a ton more money if he comes as a guy who knocked off an undefeated title contender. I think these things will motivate him to fight like a madman.

[TheBurningMan]

Tito, Dan Henderson and Rashaad Evans are the only 3 fighters I'd pick over Machida at this point. Tito's a tool, but I think his strength/wrestling is going to give Machida some problems he hasn't had to deal with yet.

[cipher unknown]

Machida is one of my favorite fighters but I think this might turn out to be a boring fight. Tito does not like to engage and machida is a counter puncher. I hope its not but it has the chance to be a snoozefest. I think the suits at ufc want to see tito go out on a bad note.

[GiantRobotDelux]

Originally Posted by geezerjitsu

I'd include Arona in that list - outwrestled Dan Henderson, took down Fedor at will, and narrowly beat Tito at ADCC.

However, your point is true about Brazilians, broadly speaking. And among Brazilians Machida's ground skills in general are still suspect. Machida's sweeps looked good against Soku (who isn't great once on the ground) but I can imagine him being neutralized by a strong wrestler or a BJJ guy with a good top game.

Soko is a judo black belt. He's spent more time on the ground before entering mma then most.

[J. Kidd]

whatever happens i want to see machida with the W

[Haliacmon]

by submisssion, or maybe a tko due to strikes or a dec, Tito is not a threat anymore

[black snake]

Originally Posted by BRASIL WAND

So you are saying that a "big strong" one dimensional wrestler has the skills to defeat an undefeated prospect with solid striking and an incredible ground game? If you knew anything about MMA you would know that Jiu-Jitsu is not simply laying on you back and taking a beating while hoping for the opportunity for a sub. It includes wrestling, judo, and basically all forms of submission grappling combined in one martial art. If you think Gonzaga and Babalu are the the best Brazilian "wrestlers" then you have alot of fighters to look up.

Naks grappling is way more technical than Tito's and Soko's strength makes Tito's seem like a FW's. By no way am I bashing Tito because he is one of the reasons I began watching MMA, but his injuries and lack of motivation have gotten the best of him. Tito is not willing to evolve in in the sport or train with anybody outside of the now unimpressive Team Punishment.

go watch arona vs tito noob and tell me arona is not a better wrestler then machida and arona has way better bjj than machida ....plus tito will be blasting his face with elbows did arona submit tito ? and how many wins doe,s machida have by sub ? and when you said naks grappling was better then titos i knew you were lost ...shit vernon tiger white and a fat out of shape blown up 155 pound fighter named bj penn took down machida

[Advent]

Tito via first round GnP.

I just want Tito to come back as the "old" Tito and dominate him so all the haters on here make up excuses like they do whenever their fighters lose.

[Mochan]

Sprawl isn't what's going to win this for Machida. His footwork will win this for him, some of you guys don't realize that Tito's shots have lost any explosiveness they used to have years ago, and Machida is more than quick enough to step away from the shots. The only way Tito is going to take Machida down is with a single leg, Machida is going to know this and will plan his movements accordingly.

I doubt that Machida will try to stuff the takedowns with a sprawl, I've never seen Machida sprawl and I don't think he trains to do it. Instead he will use footwork to avoid, and if Tito ever manages to get a leg (it will be a tenuous grip under the knee probably) I think Machida has enough balance to stuff it hopping on one leg, and Tito won't have as good a grip since Machida will be running away when Tito tries for a shot. Tito will probably not get a double leg on Machida the entire fight.

This is surely going to be a "boring" fight, but it will show Machida making an utter fool of Tito.

Originally Posted by Lapu Lapu

As I recall Soko took Lyoto down pretty easy with inside trips.

Tito doesn't do trip takedowns.

Originally Posted by trunks

What's wrong with what I said. It has nothing to do with race or ethnicity. But tell me I'm lying. The best brazilian wrestler I've seen is either Gonzaga or Babalu. For the most part, Brazilians haven't shown any immediacy in having to learn wrestling.

Hello Arona, Filho. I do agree though Brazilians generally don't care for wrestling.

Originally Posted by DearyLeary

Took him down, then was immediately swept.

If you're asking me to believe that Soko isn't as strong as Tito, then there's no hope for you.

I think Sokou is stronger than Tito, BUT Soko doesn't have as good wrestling as Tito, that's why he got swept so easily. Sweeping Tito will be a lot harder than sweeping Sokou.

[Mochan]

Originally Posted by Jeezus

I think Tito will take him down and pound him out. Let's not go thinking Machida is a Chuck Liddell clone and that the fight will go the same way. Dragon is more well-rounded, but not as specialized in KO's and TD defense, which are why Chuck beat Tito. Tito will get him on the ground and beat his face in.

He'll train hard because he knows if he goes out of the UFC a loser, his post-MMA celebrity stock drops drastically, and if he elects to sign elsewhere to keep fighting, he will make a ton more money if he comes as a guy who knocked off an undefeated title contender. I think these things will motivate him to fight like a madman.

Machida is no Chuck clone. Machida is better than Chuck. Machida isn't going to beat Tito via counter KO and sprawling Tito's takedowns, he is going to outpoint Tito for 3 rounds and make him look like a buffoon while doing it.

Another thing. People like ot bring up that this will be Machida's first fight against a good wrestler. Well this is also in effect Tito's first fight against a good BJJ guy. Now that Tito's over the hill, he better watch his arms Machida might be taking one home.