Machida vs. Rua. What a great fight!

[chimba]

I dont understand people stating that this fight was boring at all. This is one of the best fights Ive seen in the UFC. I was at the edge of my seat waiting who would crack first.

As an MMA/boxing fan, I can record and show this to any boxing purist and they would appreciate the level of skill.

First, the fight was tactical. The technique displayed were clean and crisp. I always knew Machida had a higher level of understanding but Shogun came in and his serious training showed. He was not wild, his kicks were as good as Ive seen them. Love the way he cut the ring off.

It was the highest level of technique from both combatants Ive seen in the UFC. Its one of those fights you wished was a 12 rounder. It was a great chess match.

[IntentionalButt]

Terrific action, all things considered. Anybody expecting more didn't do their homework.

[sugarngold]

I agree. I thought it was a brilliant tactical fight with both men following a strong gameplan. Shogun definitely brought his A game!

[chimba]

I agree. I thought it was a brilliant tactical fight with both men following a strong gameplan. Shogun definitely brought his A game!


After a few engagement in the first rounds, I knew Machida could lose.
At times, he was the one trying to attack but it wasnt in his nature.
Shogun had a perfect gameplan. He said this is the hardest hes prepared and did 1,000 kicks a day. His fuckin thighs were massive.

[IntentionalButt]

To be honest I was 100% certain somewhere in the third round that one way or another somebody was getting KO'ed cold. :lol: :oops:

[chimba]

To be honest I was 100% certain somewhere in the third round that one way or another somebody was getting KO'ed cold. :lol: :oops:

Yeah :lol: it was that kind of fight.. Even the crowd was apllauding after the rounds even if there were minimal strikes thrown. The anticipation for something big never disappeared. Great great fight. Shogun made it great

[achillesthegreat]

I dont understand people stating that this fight was boring at all. This is one of the best fights Ive seen in the UFC. I was at the edge of my seat waiting who would crack first.

As an MMA/boxing fan, I can record and show this to any boxing purist and they would appreciate the level of skill.

First, the fight was tactical. The technique displayed were clean and crisp. I always knew Machida had a higher level of understanding but Shogun came in and his serious training showed. He was not wild, his kicks were as good as Ive seen them. Love the way he cut the ring off.

It was the highest level of technique from both combatants Ive seen in the UFC. Its one of those fights you wished was a 12 rounder. It was a great chess match.
I agree. It was an elite striking match between a master of Karate and a master of Muay Thai. Though not an in the pocket war, it was a heated chess match that was very enjoyable.

[Bill Butcher]

I dont understand people stating that this fight was boring at all. This is one of the best fights Ive seen in the UFC. I was at the edge of my seat waiting who would crack first.

As an MMA/boxing fan, I can record and show this to any boxing purist and they would appreciate the level of skill.

First, the fight was tactical. The technique displayed were clean and crisp. I always knew Machida had a higher level of understanding but Shogun came in and his serious training showed. He was not wild, his kicks were as good as Ive seen them. Love the way he cut the ring off.

It was the highest level of technique from both combatants Ive seen in the UFC. Its one of those fights you wished was a 12 rounder. It was a great chess match.

I agree, this was a great fight, the decision put a downer on it for me while watching it live as I bet (small thankfully) on Rua but that shits been & gone, it wont spoil it for me when rewatching, what took place between the fighters is far far far more important than what the 3 blind mice had to say after the final bell.

[chimba]

I agree. It was an elite striking match between a master of Karate and a master of Muay Thai. Though not an in the pocket war, it was a heated chess match that was very enjoyable.

Not only striking, but how Shogun tried twice to take Lyoto down and Lyoto had an answer. Other fighters would have tried and tried and tried for the takedown but Shogun said you're not giving it to me, I'll do something else. They were thinking out there. I mean freakin Machida had a fuckin masseuse in his corner with ice packs:lol:, he knew what to expect. It was just high level and people wont stop talking about it til the rematch.

Case in point, not one sloppy punch or kick was thrown.

[chimba]

I agree, this was a great fight, the decision put a downer on it for me while watching it live as I bet (small thankfully) on Rua but that shits been & gone, it wont spoil it for me when rewatching, what took place between the fighters is far far far more important than what the 3 blind mice had to say after the final bell.


The good thing is that the rematch would be one of the most anticipated in MMA history, especially now that Dana is gassing Shogun and is all over his nuts.

Dana has never been warm to Machida and Anderson..this is the same guy bitchin how disgraceful Anderson was against Cote when the latter fuckin tore his ligaments

[québecwarrior]

It was in the top 5 of my favorite fight of all i've seen seriously. Everything calculated. It was so great.

[chimba]

It was in the top 5 of my favorite fight of all i've seen seriously. Everything calculated. It was so great.

The BJ/GSP fight 1 was great but this one takes the cake for me

[achillesthegreat]

Not only striking, but how Shogun tried twice to take Lyoto down and Lyoto had an answer. Other fighters would have tried and tried and tried for the takedown but Shogun said you're not giving it to me, I'll do something else. They were thinking out there. I mean freakin Machida had a fuckin masseuse in his corner with ice packs:lol:, he knew what to expect. It was just high level and people wont stop talking about it til the rematch.

Case in point, not one sloppy punch or kick was thrown.

Yeah, the take downs were good. They didn't work 100% but I think they unsettled Machida mentally. He must've been thinking - 'It's hard enough dealing with his striking but this guy will try to take me down. I best keep my distance. Oops, I'm too far and not landing as effectively as I'd like. Let's step in and unleash. Oops, now I'm eating a huge counter right. What can I do next.'

It was a good chess match. You can see both continously thinking.

[Bill Butcher]

The good thing is that the rematch would be one of the most anticipated in MMA history, especially now that Dana is gassing Shogun and is all over his nuts.

Dana has never been warm to Machida and Anderson..this is the same guy bitchin how disgraceful Anderson was against Cote when the latter fuckin tore his ligaments

Ive always thought Dana really liked both Machida & Anderson very much.

[chimba]

Ive always thought Dana really liked both Machida & Anderson very much.

Not since Anderson started this talk of retiring before his contract is up:lol:

[Bill Butcher]

Yeah, the take downs were good. They didn't work 100% but I think they unsettled Machida mentally. He must've been thinking - 'It's hard enough dealing with his striking but this guy will try to take me down. I best keep my distance. Oops, I'm too far and not landing as effectively as I'd like. Let's step in and unleash. Oops, now I'm eating a huge counter right. What can I do next.'

It was a good chess match. You can see both continously thinking.

Agreed, Rua showed that he can be a very intelligent fighter, we all know he can go to war & prevail (Rampage, Overeem, Nogueira in Pride etc) but vs Machida he showed wonderful control by not letting Lyoto draw him in like he did the rest.