Lyoto Machida's Winning Style Is Good for Fighters and Fans

With the possible exception of Brock Lesnar, nobody has quite the effect Lyoto Machida has on MMA fans. Many lose all sense of perspective when comparing the fighters they hate to the ones they love.

To some, none of Machida's accomplishments mean anything. To some, he is boring to watch and cannot finish fights. News flash—Lyoto Machida has finished all 14 of his pro MMA fights, have you ever seen him head for the showers before a decision has been rendered?

I know, people are referring to his lack of knockouts or submissions, but the statement is little more than the mindless mantra of Machida-haters. It tells you nothing about Machida, the fighter. But the fact that he has faced 14 opponents and defeated every one of them says something.

Anyone who buys into the tired complaint that Machida is boring should watch K-1 or the next Tank Abbott fight. You will not be watching the best fighters, but you’ll get something closer to the one-dimensional crap you are angry at Machida for not delivering.

Those fans who appreciate the drama provided by the clash of opposing styles and personalities have made their peace with Machida, and his presence near the top of the UFC 94 card shows that true MMA fans—the ones that buy tickets and pay-per-views like a card better when Machida is on it.

Lyoto Machida understands that his job is to win. How he wins depends on his opponent and the way the fight unfolds, but win, he does. He is a very smart fighter, and he has MMA fans buzzing over his fights.

Will the next opponent be the one Lyoto can’t escape?

The one who will not let him duck and weave and pile up points? Thiago Silva looked to many like the one who would overwhelm Machida, and a lot of fans could not wait to see Machida knocked cold.

A lot of fans, including me, were drawn to see how Machida would react to Silva’s relentless attack, expecting him to win but excited to see which of the scenarios would unfold in the Octagon.

That is what is going to happen next time, too.

Whether he faces Rampage Jackson or Rashad Evans, or a lesser opponent like Chuck Liddell or the fading Shogun Rua, the analysts and commentators will make their predictions. The fans will debate the merits of each fighter.

Some will rejoice at the prospect of Machida finally meeting an opponent that has an answer to his elusive style. Others will be chomping at the bit to see Machida take one more step to the UFC Light Heavyweight championship.

But both sides will be watching, and that proves Machida’s greatness.

If he abandoned his intelligent, problem-solving approach to force a "finish" against talented fighters like, Thiago Silva, Rich Franklin, or Tito Ortiz, he would likely not be 14-0, and nobody would be discussing how "the Dragon" would match up against the top fighters in his weight class.

By doing his job his way, he has brought new fans to the UFC, made some casual fans buy into the spectacle, and he has introduced a style that other fighters will have to find a way to deal with.

All of this makes MMA better, and enriches the experience for all MMA fans.