Lyoto Machida is certainly a rising threat to the UFC Light-Heavyweight crown, but is he as good as many fans think?
In his career he is 13-0. He holds notable victories over Rich Franklin, Stephan Bonnar, B.J. Penn, Sokoudjou, and Tito Ortiz. These are impressive names to have on your resume, but is he the type of fighter you want to see as Champion in the best division in MMA?
His style is one that raises both admiration and criticism. His style is Karate (combined with all other elements Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling etc). The style he employs is admired due to how technically beautiful and exquisite it is.
However, his style involves lots of in-and-out work, which some consider boring and not worthy of a Champion, and one has to take into consideration that we have yet to see Machida pushed nor hit. So how will he respond? We don't know until that happens.
Of his five UFC victories, he has finished only one - that being his fight with Sokoudjou via arm triangle. All of his other victories have come via decision against Sam Hoger, David Heath, Nakamura, and Ortiz.
Apart from Ortiz, none of these fighters are considered to be high-caliber, and are no longer in the UFC, not to mention that Sokoudjou appears to have been over-hyped.
While his performances he make his opponents appear foolish, surely he has to start finishing his fights. Fighters who finish fights bring the UFC money. Griffin vs Machida does not sound as interesting as Griffin vs Rampage II or Griffin vs Wanderlei.
In my opinion, he has the technique of a Champion, but until I see him finish fights and beat a real high-caliber opponent, I am not convinced. At UFC 94, I may be proven to be foolish as he battles a high-caliber opponent in Thiago Silva.
We can only wait and watch.
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