Rashad Evans vs Lyoto Machida: The Evans Edition

At the end of the month, UFC 205 champ Rashad Evans, will put his title on the line against the loved Lyoto Machida.  This is a fight that Machida fans want.  Many were upset that he wasn't in front of Rampage Jackson for a title shot, but it all came out in the wash.

This title fight will simply be the next super fight in the best division in all of MMA.  In this series of pre-fight posts, I will provide the game plan that could lead each fighter to victory!

Rashad Evans is undefeated.  His victory against Forrest Griffin earned him the gold.  This time around he will be the one with his belt on the line. 

The matchup between him and Machida has the potential to be a great fight, but at the same time it could also be a bore-fest.  Although Rashad has been able to finish his last two bouts he has had problems finishing before. 

If you look on paper, the current champ would be the favorite.  If you surfed the Internet forums it would appear that Machida would be the favorite.  If the champ is going to retain his title, he will have to employ his strengths on Machida. 

He is without a doubt the most athletic of the two fighters.  To win he will have to be the quicker, stronger, and use his skill to shut down Machida's angles.  

Machida is a quick counter puncher that will try to use Rashad's aggressiveness against him.  Machida has been impressive at times, he is far from unbeatable.  In this fight Rashad needs to prove that he is a superior wrestler in this sport. 

He needs to stay aggressive, keep his hands up, and get this fight to the ground.  Employ a Sean Sherk type of game plan.  Press, press, press until Machida makes a mistake.  Get the fight to the ground and smother him.  Use solid ground and pound, and make the ref stop the fight. 

Tito Ortiz proved that Machida's ground game is not great.  Take advantage of it, and put him on his back.

This fight should be a good one.  One that will be half fight and half chess match.  The UFC had to put this one on and the fans will love it.  Rashad will more than likely be favored but the Machida fans will be in full force. 

In less than a month Rashad will try to prove that he is the best 206 pound fighter in the world.  If he uses this game plan he will be victorious.