Lyoto Machida Vs. Thiago Silva: Your Verdict?

Varun Singh — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:30:26 -0400

The undefeated duo of Lyoto Machida (13-0) and Thiago Silva (13-0) finally look set to collide on 31st January Super Bowl weekend at UFC 93, according to widespread reports yet to be officially confirmed by the UFC.

I was disappointed when this exciting match-up originally scheduled for UFC 89 was cancelled, due to Silva sustaining a back injury resulting in a forced withdrawal. This is an intriguing battle with their contrasting yet equally effective fighting styles not to mention, one of them will no longer remain unbeaten when all is said and done.

Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida, a Karate black-belt age 13 is a technically adept fighter nullifying the strengths of opponents using great strategy carried out efficiently within the octagon. Machida’s elusive style is clearly not to everyone’s taste but 7 out of his 8 Decision wins are by Unanimous rather than Split Decision, underlining the undoubted success of this approach. The other 5 victories on his record include 2 Submissions and 3 by way of KO suggesting that perhaps the criticism received is a bit unwarranted. Machida clearly possesses knockout power but prefers to grind opponents down frustrating them into making errors.

The fusion of Shotokan Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Sumo provides Lyoto with an array of tactics, tailor-made for each opponent with the same intention, to throw them of their game plan. Lyoto will be hard to pin down as usual looking to catch Thiago on the counter in case he leaves himself too open. A victory could elevate Machida towards the title shot he so craves and statistically deserves, against the winner of the Griffin/Evans Light Heavyweight title bout. If this fight goes to the judges, in all probability it will be a Decision victory for “The Dragon”.

Thiago Silva formerly a Chute Box Academy fighter now training with American Top Team, possesses an all-action aggressive fight style always pushing the pace seldom giving opponents any respite. His record reflects this with 10 wins coming via KO, 2 Submission wins and only 1 contest going past the 2^nd round, that to in a Unanimous Decision victory. The combination of superb striking along with a strong BJJ and Muay Thai background makes him an entertaining fighter who is a genuine threat in the Light Heavyweight division.

Being a forceful fighter perhaps makes Thiago more susceptible to getting caught by submissions, though both are BJJ black-belts and equally comfortable on the ground. In my opinion why change a winning formula, surely Silva adopting a more cautious approach simply nullifies his own strengths and hands the momentum to Machida. Thiago should stick to the tried and tested aggressive approach, despite top fighters like Rich Franklin and Tito Ortiz having tried and failed to do so against Lyoto. The critical factor boils down to Thiago Silva’s cardio and whether he manages to chase down the elusive Lyoto Machida without getting caught on the counter.

My Final Verdict: If Thiago Silva wins it will be via KO, but I am leaning towards a Lyoto Machida victory by Unanimous Decision!

Forrest Griffin Vs. Rashad Evans: Who Will Win?

Varun Singh — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:14:47 -0400

Rashad Evans produced a devastating knockout of Chuck Liddell at UFC 88 ironically with an overhand right, a trademark of the “Iceman” shocking the MMA world. Both Liddell and the UFC organizers could not have imagined the brutal fashion in which this fight ended.

The plan as you all know was for a super fight between current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin and the winner of the UFC 88 main-event, with Liddell the overwhelming favorite. It was an attempt to restore Chuck as a genuine contender after consecutive losses to “Rampage” Jackson and Keith Jardine, as the top contender for the Light Heavyweight title.

Instead Evans gave the “Iceman” a dose of his own medicine, melting any chances of a title shot and putting serious doubts over the future of once, the most feared striker in MMA. Liddell is at his best on the counter but Rashad did a great job of being elusive in the first round frustrating the favorite to chase, leaving himself open.

The fact is a Liddell/Griffin super-fight would have put the UFC publicity machine into overdrive; the older poster boy of the UFC against its newest star would have been a money-spinning blockbuster!

Dana White announced in the post UFC 88 press conference that Evans will get an immediate title shot against Griffin, with the date yet to be confirmed though heavily rumored to be an end of year December showdown. From a publicity standpoint this fight may not generate the same hype but does make for a really fascinating clash.

People may question Forrest’s UFC 86 victory against Quinton but there is no questioning his character; it is so refreshing to see the modesty with which he goes about his business.

Griffin is such a well-rounded fighter always prepared for a stand-up war with a superb yet under-rated Jui-Jitsu game, before submitting “Shogun” Rua at UFC 76. This is reflected in a breakdown of his 16 MMA professional career wins; with 3 wins via KO, 7 by way of Submission and 6 in a Decision victory.

“Sugar” conversely is bit of a showman by nature with an impressive unbeaten record looking to build on the confidence gained from his brutal knockout of Liddell. Evans is a terrific wrestler with an ever improving stand-up game as he showed the world at UFC 88.

In his last five fights Rashad has scored three KO wins, one Decision victory and a Draw against Tito Ortiz. In the 10 fights before that he had only scored one KO victory, five in a Decision victory, three by way of Submission with one due to a No-Contest.

I get the feeling, that if Evans wins it may well be by KO or more likely a Decision victory. The reason I say KO is firstly, due to Rashad’s sharply improving stand-up game, secondly as I would not put it past Forrest to get involved in a stand-up war of attrition as he is full of heart and never backs down, finally because 50 percent (2/4) of Griffin’s Losses have come via KO. Of course a Decision victory statistically is the most likely method in the case of an Evans victory.

If Forrest wins it will most likely be by a Submission or a Decision Victory with only one KO win to his name in the UFC, over Elvis Sinosic who had seven losses in 15 fights at that time. Now that is not to say, Forrest cannot produce a devastating knockout victory over Rashad. Or that Rashad cannot beat Forrest by a submission, just that history does not make it as likely.

In the deepest most competitive division of the UFC with stars like Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson, the unbeaten duo of Lyoto Machida and Thiago Silva to name a few, it is two former “The Ultimate Fighter” (TUF) winners and relative protégés, that are now at the top of the division.

This emphasizes the depth, variation and mainly the unpredictable nature of MMA; the main reason we all love this sport so much!

MY FINAL VERDICT: This fight will go to five rounds and Forrest Griffin will come out on top with a Decision Victory!

Bleacher Report - Articles by Varun Singh

Lyoto Machida Vs. Thiago Silva: Your Verdict?

Forrest Griffin Vs. Rashad Evans: Who Will Win?