UFC 104 Machida Vs Shogun Rua - In depth look at Machida

UFC 104 is just 8 days away and I can't wait to watch the main event - Machida vs Shogun. And there are plenty of reasons for that, but let's take an in depth look at Lyoto Machida.

Machida - a rare style of mma fighter as he uses karate as his main base. Of course, Machida isn't one of those vintage karate guys who claim that their "eagle punch" is too brutal for mma as their excuse for not competing in it. Lyoto has augmented his karate with good wrestling (sumo based at that I think) as well as having a black belt in bjj.

His style is still based on point karate match ups which makes him perhaps the most unique fighter in maa today. Since the point of karate competition is to score points while not allowing your opponent to score, Machida has an amazing ability to move out of range just when the other guy was about to unload on him, while also being able to move in for a quick punch himself. In fact, Lyoto gets hit less than any other fighter save for Fedor Emelianenko (which could be explained by the fact Fedor's fights have more 'ground" time, well, that and the fact his opponents are busy crapping their pants and are in no position to actually throw a punch)

Machida's "elusiveness" has earned him some dislike from the fans though, as many have claimed that he does nothing but "run away" as well as making a claim that if everyone fought like that then no one would even watch UFC as it'd be boring.

Lyoto however has stepped up his game and appears to be a lot more aggressive now. Beating an undefeated Thiago Silva by KO in the first round as well as Rashad Evans by KO in the second. Which makes him even more dangerous.

personally, I am rather amused by his style, he moves out of range from opponent as they try to chase him, but the moment they stop chasing Lyoto takes a step forward and punches them in the face, then before a fighter can retaliate he steps back and the chase continues. No fighter has been able to solve this rather amusing problem and it appears to both frustrate fighters and make them look completely outclassed.

Sadly, if Machida beats Shogun he will be pretty much done with UFC's light heavy weight division. For all the talks (which are true) about UFC having most of the best light heavy weights Machida will have no challengers if he wins his next fight. Looking at sherdog.com's rankings:

#2 Rampage is done fighting, for now at least
#3 Rashad Evans already lost (and in a rather embarrassing fashion)
#4 Shogun is his next fight
#5 Forest Griffin got literally owned by Anderson Silva, and while Machida and Anderson have different fighting styles, I find it very unlikely Forest would be able to hit Machida at all given the fact he couldn't connect on Silva.
#6 Thiago Silva has already lost by a round 1KO that makes Rashad's loss look good
#7 Gegard Mousasi has been on an absolute tear for a few years now and had recently sent Babalu to hell (judging by Babaul's eyes and facial expression) But due to UFC having most good fighters in 205 pounds division, it's hard for Gegard to "prove" himself against high ranked competition.
#8 Luis Arthur Cane is a good prospect but lacks wins vs higher ranked fighters
#9 Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is a good fighter but it's questionable if he'd fight Machida, since he trains with him (I think, I know Machida, Anderson Silva and big Nog train together)
#10 Rich Franklin has already lost to Machida a few years ago in Japan

Interestingly enough, should Machida beat Shogun, the the most interesting fights for him would actually be outside of 205 division (aside from a fight vs Mousasi) Who wouldn't want to watch Machida fight Anderson Silva (not going to happen since they train together) or vs Fedor Emelianenko (not going to happen since UFC can't sign Fedor, and it's unlikely they make this fight even if they did)