UFC 129 Fight Card: What Lyoto Machida Must Do to Beat Randy Couture

Lyoto Machida has gone from must-see prospect to former champ on the chopping block.

The split decision loss to Rampage Jackson, regardless of whether you call it a win, didn't give Machida the rebound he was looking for after losing his belt decisively to Mauricio Shogun Rua at UFC 113.

Being lined up for Randy Couture probably does Machida the least amount of favors in this fight, so Machida must create his own favors.

How does that happen?

Heaven only knows that Machida won't be able to finish Couture in three rounds, but taking the fight down to the ground, showing some ground-and-pound, and working in his Jiu-Jitsu might help the situation.

For a guy who has put guys on the bottom before, Couture does sometimes find himself having trouble from off his back, and let's not forget he got his "black belt" after his submission win against James Toney, but then again, how difficult is it to submit Toney?

Machida is a lot of things, but a legendary boxer who can't defend himself on the ground is the one thing Machida is not.

Machida can defend himself from the toughest of positions, and he can dish out punishment also.

All I would say he must do is avoid the clinch with Couture; that is the one strong spot for Couture on the feet is up close with Machida.

Machida has to do the things that got him to Rashad Evans and the UFC Light Heavyweight Title: create the distance with his unorthodox striking and if Couture goes in for a takedown, he has to utilize the sprawl before he can take the fight in the direction he wants to take it.

Couture has been known as a "master strategist" throughout his career, but for Machida to save his UFC career, it will have to be Machida's turn to implement a masterful strategy on arguably one of the most intelligent fighters in MMA history.

Either he finds a way to beat Couture at his own game, or Lyoto can say goodbye to the UFC.