In football, they have an expression: "Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships." A twist on the expression goes, “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.”
Will this old sports adage soon apply to the UFC?
In the mixed martial arts of old, the second version wouldn't get past the first round.
Most fighters, and champions, have built their brand, and their fighting style, on being offense orientated. From Mirko Cro Cop to Chuck Liddell, they have delivered devastating strikes that sent their challengers crashing to the canvas.
Even the great BJJ artists aggressively looked to sink in their submissions as soon as possible.
These fighters, and their offense, knew how to sell tickets. And they won plenty of games. But they have also lost in dramatic fashion. When an offensive becomes too haphazard, it turns the ball over.
Think Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans. If Chuck was a quarterback, then his passes were easily telegraphed, and Rashad intercepted him with a game-changing blow.
So this brings us back to our saying, “Offense wins games, but defense wins championships.” Currently we have a fighter, in Lyoto Machida, who is known for his defensive prowess.
And, accordingly, he doesn’t sell tickets. In fact, he can’t even get a ticket...to a title fight, that is.
In sports, like the NFL, they can’t cherry pick their matchups. “Win and you're in” is how the saying goes. Often times the best defensive team will go up against the best offensive team. It’s an interesting matchup of extreme opposites.
Similar to when a great wrestler goes up against a dominant striker.
In the UFC, in order to sell tickets, they have to put together a great matchup. This often means putting together two of the more offensive-minded fighters. Think Rampage Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva or Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar. Randy certainly realizes the benefit of a good defense; it's part of a good gameplan.
So where does this leave Machida?
Ironically, in order to get the championship he will have to employ more offense. This goes back to the first part of the quote, “Offense wins games.” If he wants to win the “public perception game,” he has to sell us before we will give him the right to be our champion.
At UFC 94, he will have the perfect opportunity against Thiago Silva.
Silva is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and is a strong Muay Thai fighter, as is typical of Chute Boxe fighters. Chute Boxe fighters are characterized by being extremely aggressive and physical, as well as well-rounded fighters, able to use submissions, punches, kicks, and various grappling styles as needed.
Thiago is 13-0, with 10 of his wins coming via TKO. His other three wins came via submission (2) and decision (1). 12 of his 13 fights were over before the third round.
Lyoto is also 13-0. Three of his wins come via TKO, two via submission, and eight via decision. Nine of his 13 fights were decided by the judges. In stark contrast, if you got the chance to see Machida vs. Franklin, you know very well Lyoto can be extremely offensive; he just chooses not to be.
If there has ever been a contrast in offensive vs. defense, this is it. So something’s got to give.
Lucky for Thiago, this isn’t a championship bout, because defense wins...Well, I think you’ve got it.
Silva will certainly push the pace against Machida. He has three rounds to TKO him or possibly submit him. The latter seems very unlikely. Machida will look to employ his "get-in-get-out" style of fighting, as he looks to strategically score points on his opponent.
He will be happy with a clean decision win.
The question is, will the UFC crowd be happy?
In Rome, the mob ruled, and while Caesar Dana White rules the land, popular opinion (marketing) determines which gladiators get to fight in the coliseum.
In the end, while you may find Machida’s strategy boring, his record clearly isn’t. Wins over Stephan Bonner, Rich Franklin, B.J. Penn, Rameau Sokoudjou, and Tito Ortiz are growing evidence that a good defense can score a win over worthy opponents.
But it doesn’t sell tickets.
And in the UFC, that may keep the old sports adage from coming to fruition for this lonely fighter.
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2 months ago
Great picture painted here bro. I am a fan of the exciting fight. The one where two men come out to put the hurt on eachother. Problem is, I love the technical game too, the one where two men repeatedly sink, counter, and escape submission. Lyoto fights somewhere in the middle. Cant vote against his skill, just his approach. Cant vote for the skill because of the approach. Hes a wierd one. One thing he does have going for him is this, he is a class act. That in itself is enough to respect him and hope he comes out of that shell. Kos for the other hand has had some boring less than aggressive fights go his way and he is a tool. That makes it easier to dislike him. In the end, like or no like, aggressive or passive in the Octagon, Machida is a great fighter, who really just needs to pick up the pace if he wants to succeed in the eyes of the fans. Great article man, I really like the way you implemented the aspects of other sports and the Roman comments were great. Take care Brian.
2 months ago
Wow, Thanks Todd. I couldn't agree more with your comments. Machida is a weird one and it will be interesting to see how the UFC deals with him. They have to weigh the success of their business against giving the best fighter's the shot, if they earn it. I definitely think Machida has to open up his playbook.
I am curious to know your thoughts on his fight with Thiago Silva.Are you taking defense of offense =)
Take care and I am looking forward to your next MMA article.
from 2 months ago
I am with Silva all the way. Its not a technical researched prediction. I just like Silva's style. As per the point of the article he is an exciting fighter with some attitude. Either way it should be great. I was totally dissapointed when the first meeting was sidelined. Looking forward to it. Later man.
2 months ago
While I agree that Machida's a defensive fighter, I definitely wouldn't say he's a "lay'n'prayer". He likes to keep things on the feet and if it does go to ground he stays very active.
I predict Machida will take Silva apart. Other than a capacity to take a beating Thiago's not shown me anything massively impressive thus far
from 2 months ago
Wow, Thanks Matt. Good catch. Lay & Pray was the wrong expression. His is more of a get-in-get out or run-'n'-gun style. Thanks I will make the edit.
2 months ago
Someone wise once said that good guys finish last.It was probably the same dude who said that squeaky wheels always get the grease.The first time i saw machida fight was against Franklyn ..i was so impressed that i did some research and found out some very interesting facts ..machida is not unlike Tiger Woods and Wayne Gretzsky he honed his craft at a very young age; and had the unconditional support of his father who is a karate master.lyoto is destined for stardom .Theres nothing that can stop him.(Only himself).I have a strange feeling that in this fighters life the good guy is gonna finish first!!../great article Brian./.STOKEY
from 2 months ago
Stokey,
That is an interesting comparison to Tiger Woods. I was a little familiar with the fact about his father. Did you mention this in a previous article? If that thats a good angle for a future one. One note that Lyoto can take from Tiger, to truly round out his game, is that Tiger is very aggressive on the golf course and is always taking chances. If he does this your are right, he is can achieve greatness.
On any interesting side note, while doing some of my own research, I found out something I wasn't aware of before. Lyoto Machida and Forrest Griffin were supposed to fight at UFC 70, in the UK, but Forrest became sick with a staff infection and was replaced by David Heath. This would have been his 1st fight coming off of the Jardine loss. Instead he went on to fight Hector Ramirez at UFC 72 and then got his shot against Shogun. What a difference one illness can make to two fighter's careers!
Thanks for your comment, your research, and your passion for MMA!
2 months ago
Machida isn't always exciting to watch (though I thought his match agains Sokodjou was great), but sooner or later somebody will figure out a way to beat him. But in the meantime, Lyoto has a problem in that few fighters are willing to take him on, and based on comments from Dana White, he's got to start finishing fights to earn a title shot. He'd be a marketing disaster as champion of the LHW division.
However, putting an aggressive striker like Thiago Silva in there will help make an exciting fight and I think he can give Lyoto a run for his money.
from about 1 month ago
I agree with you about the Sokodjou match. I also just rewatched UFC 84,which is saved on DVR, and enjoyed watching his fight with Tito. And he would be a marketing disaster as LHW champion. Which makes it very intresting to see what the UFC will do with him.
If the winner of Jackson/Silva gets to fight the winner of Forrest/Evans for the belt then it seems they will have to let him fight one of the losers. I would like to see him fight someone like Wanderlei who would be constantly applying pressure(or so youd think).
I am looking forward to the fight with Thiago and hope Lyoto opens up his attackl. I think there is a sleeping dragon that lies within.
Thank for the comment Michael
about 1 month ago
good points, I love Machida although he is underrated. But I find it funny how frustrated people get when they fight him.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah you would think that someone would be able to figure him out. Don't be surprised if the UFC tries to give Liddell one more shot more Machida gets his. Should be interesting to see how it all unfolds in 2009.
Jared, I know Rampage is one of your favorite fighters. Do you think he would be able to rattle Machida and knock him out?
about 1 month ago
No I don't think Rampage could beat Machida. I like Rampage mostly for his Pride days were he was slamming everyone. But seriously he is good but Machida has to many dimensions to his game that I think Rampage wouldn't be able to handle
from about 1 month ago
I recently re watched "The Slam." Pride sure had some great fights! I was a bit surprised that you took Machida over Rampage but not too surprised. I am getting more and more excited to see this fight at UFC 94.
Any chance Quinton body slams Wanderlei =)
from about 1 month ago
I'm not too sure if Quinton slams Wand. I think Wand might be his kryptonite he ha already lost to him twice in devastating fashion both times. But if he were to beat Wanderlei it would be now I think Wanderlei is starting to have injuries and age catch up to him a little bit, I still think he is dangerous but I don't know how long he is going to be able to hang with these new young guns I mean the guy has been fighting for a long time and that has to take a toll on your body
about 1 month ago
I would love to watch Anderson Silva versus Lyoto Machida. If anyone can figure out Lyoto it would be the Spider.
from about 1 month ago
You realize they are great friends and Anderson thinks Lyoto is the rightful heir to the LHW belt don't you? Just checkin. And, despite that, it would be interesting to see how Machida dealt with Silva's pinpoint strikes and if Lyoto could effectively counterstrike. The Spider vs The Dragon has an interesting sound to it...
about 1 month ago
Lyoto has pinpoint strikes himself and a legendary elusiveness. I know they are friends but once you enter octagon it means nothing.
I am sick of people complaining about Lyoto's defensive style. MMA stands for MIXED martial arts. Lyoto utilizes his style to maximum and no fighter so far could figure out how to break him. This is a signature of the true master.
Silva has similar advantage in MW. In fact, I think, he has such an advantage that his fights get boring (let me ask you, who of you thinks that Cote will last more then 1 round?).
I want Anderson to be challenged by real master. I want him to face Lyoto.
from about 1 month ago
Thank you for your passion for MMA; it really shows in your comments! I completely agree with you on Machida.
And I agree, I would like to see Silva really be tested. I dont think Cote will make it out of the 1st round if he goes toe-to-toe with Silva.
Perhaps you may get your wish. Silva has said he plans on retiring after his UFC contract is up. I hope that isn't the case. I believe Anderson has 6 fights left on his contract and he has said he wants to face the best. Machida would certainly be one of the best and it would be an intriguing fight to say the least.
That being said I think there are other fights that Silva and the UFC will want to put on.
If he doesn't fight Machida who else would you like to see him fight...
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