Lyoto Machida

[VictorCharlie]

Rampage has a pretty good beard. If he attempts to stand and out strike Lyoto, at best he loses a UD. He needs to use his hand speed, athleticism and wrestling background to close the distance with Machida. This still doesn't guarantee a victory but it will allow him to at least dictate how the fight happens. I don't even know if I'd give Rampge much of an edge in the clinch. Lyoto has good BJJ but I doubt he is going to show Quinton something he hasn't seen before. If Jackson wants to win this he has to get the fight to the ground and use his awesome strength and power to grind out a win.

[Majesty]

Anderson Silva would probably be the harder match up style for Machida.

The person who came closest to beating Machida was Tito Ortiz when he locked in that triangle choke as Machida was trying to jump on him on the ground. So maybe the best way to beat machida is to keep him off of his feet, never strike with a striker and he isn't too defensive on the ground.

So I think Shogun or Silva would give him a tough time.

[Julius Rain]

Anderson Silva would probably be the harder match up style for Machida.

The person who came closest to beating Machida was Tito Ortiz when he locked in that triangle choke as Machida was trying to jump on him on the ground. So maybe the best way to beat machida is to keep him off of his feet, never strike with a striker and he isn't too defensive on the ground.

So I think Shogun or Silva would give him a tough time.

Actually lyotos toughest match is suprisingly against the smallest fighter he has ever fought. BJ Penn.

[Nameless]

Machida vs Rua next, according to what I've read on worldofcombat:

World of Combat » Mauricio Shogun Rua to fight Lyoto The Dragon Machida at UFC 104

The thing is: Karate's not good in general in MMA. However, if you can learn the very important things to play the game (Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Kick boxing or Muay Thai), then a Karate background becomes interesting because the unorthodox stuff it brings in will shine through and because of all the rest; What makes Machida dangerous is that he knows all he basic very well and mix it with unusual things, something most other fighters have never seen. He's incredible but the more he fights, the more peoples get use to his style and as it has been stated before, somebody in the end will figure him out in the meantime and his flaws will get exposed. Thus said, having "flaws" exposed doesn't make him nothing less than an extraordinary fighter that definitely belong to the elite, you can't be less than that after schooling a guy like Rashad Evans, especially with the Coach he has (Greg Jackson = mastermind).

[VictorCharlie]

I had also heard that Shogun was next for Lyoto. I felt pretty certain that Rampage would be next but I guess something came up. I don't really think Rua has earned a title shot yet. If Shogun has regained OWGP form then this has potential to be a phenomenal fight. I'd have give Rua at least one more fight against good competition before putting him in for the title.

[Nameless]

I had also heard that Shogun was next for Lyoto. I felt pretty certain that Rampage would be next but I guess something came up. I don't really think Rua has earned a title shot yet. If Shogun has regained OWGP form then this has potential to be a phenomenal fight. I'd have give Rua at least one more fight against good competition before putting him in for the title.

Yeah I agree, I think that the Rampage's fight couldn't be made yet because he's scheduled against somebody else quite soon but would he and Machida win, I think that this fight would be next.
Another fight I am quite looking for is the Alves-GSP fight, Alves is no puny little kid and it won't be that easy for GSP and would he win, I wonder who's next in line for him. They talked about the Spyder and that... that would be the test of the tests for GSP and I am not sure he could win that one actually.

[donnydarkoIRL]

Lyoto is an enigma.
He's ability to evade his opponents has left every opponent so far frustrated and ultimately beaten.

He's a good guy, with a style I really respect, although it won't win him all that many mainstream MMA fans.

He has the potential to rule the LH's for quite some time.
Although I'm a huge fan I don't see Rampage touching him.
Shogun could pose him problems, assuming he arrives in better condition than he did for Forrest.

I then believ Rampage could beat Shogun, so Dana could have the most marketable man at the top again....

Interesting.