History will be made in February next year, as the UFC has officially confirmed their main event and co-main event for UFC 157 in Anaheim.
Despite rumors that former No. 1 light heavyweight title contender Dan Henderson's knee injury could oust him from the card, the UFC has confirmed via Twitter that he will indeed be facing former champion Lyoto Machida in UFC 157's co-main event. Tickets will be on sale starting on Dec. 21.
So far, this is the current lineup of confirmed fights for the UFC's return to Anaheim's Honda Center on Feb. 23:
• Women's Bantamweight Title: Ronda Rousey (Champion) vs. Liz Carmouche
• Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator: Dan Henderson vs. Lyoto Machida
• Men's Bantamweight Bout: Urijah Faber vs. Ivan Menjivar
Notably, this will be Henderson's first time not headlining a card since UFC 100 in July 2009.
I don't see Lyoto finishing Hendo, I know that Hendo can KO Lyoto if he times the overhand well, he has more power than Shogun, it's just about whether he can land flush while Lyoto is being as evasive as ever. I don't think we will see much ground game in this fight.
That being said, i'll probably put some money on Lyoto winning by UD, Hendo will probably be valued highly by the bookies considering his recent run.
Hendo by KO or Machida by UD. Last time I had faith in Machida being an elusive counterstriker against a one dimensional striker he ended up losing. I see that happening again, except with a finish this time.
Ronda is not fighting the #2 or 3 in her division so not much of a fight there. Hendo still has some fight left in him so Machida will have his hands full. Also,Will the rounds be the standard three 5 min rounds or five 5 min rounds? I only ask because Hendo is pretty old and he was visibly tired by the third round in his fight with Shogun. If it is 3 rounds then I say Hendo.
Man really don't want to see either of these guys lose. Machida looks good on paper here but you can never count Hendo out. Going to be an edge of your seat type fight, can't wait.
Ronda should make quick work of Liz to solidify her title status, but Carmouche is fighting on her birthday week and has something to prove. She's also from Lafayette, so I'll be rooting for her to pull an upset. I'm surprised more of the hater's aren't doing the same thing since that could very well kill a lot of the buzz around Ronda and women's MMA in general.
Hendo is gonna have a rough day at the office fighting Machida. Lyoto's style will make it hard for Dan to land that hay-maker of his and once he can't find his opponent's chin his chances dwindle significantly. Of course, all it takes is him grazing you with that punch and it's mat nap time... raise01: Still, I think Lyoto takes the decision or shocks the world in round five by finishing with strikes.
I love how people right off Hendo. Not saying he wins.
But these are generally the same people that said no way he beats Fedor. The same people that said Shogun would win that fight.
Well you guys are 0-2. If you keep picking against Hendo you will eventually be right. I just find it funny how people totally right him off.
If Machida wins it will be like the Rampage fight. Which sucks. Hendo will chase him around right hand cocked. Machida will play keep away most of the fight. Hate the matchup really.
I hate to bet against Hendo, he's been amazing lately. BUT Machida will approach this fight with Hendo's last few bouts in mind, and he has the tools to avoid Hendo's kill shot while being busy offensively.
Lyoto won't run from Dan like he did Rampage, look at the Bader fight. Very different Machida there and no, Bader is not top 5 material, but the adjustments in Lyoto's game were obvious. He kept range but maintained offense with rangy strikes, breaking Ryan down before committing to punches.
Hendo is more than a step above Bader, but the dangers are similar.
Anything can happen in an MMA match and that's the fun of it, but if Machida wins ppl could arguably add Dan Henderson to the list of tailor made opponents and still dismiss Machida improvements as a fighter, as if he woudn't have a TV set at home to figure his opponents out or a camp to work on his own flaws... His victory over Couture was expected, but the way he did was outstanding and became iconic in UFC. Sacrilege to suggest that was not impressive.
Machida is by far the most complete martial artist compared to Hendo and one of the best strategists in the game, what sometimes produces boring fights, I reckon. Bader is a wrestler with KO power. This is basically what senior Hendo became today. Machida is not Bisping.
He'll have to stay on his feet to time him and Machida took down both Shogun and Rampage guys who took Hendo down so I believe he can take down Hendo and if he takes him down he can coast.
Machida has to fight a really smart fight like he did against Bader to beat Henderson. He has to avoid that right hand at all costs or else he's going to sleep. Machida will have a major advantage in the championship rounds because Henderson's cardio is not good.
Hendo's timing is better than Machida's? I think timing is one of the best (if not the very best) assets in Machida's arsenal.
Machida is famous for his counter striking skills. Can Hendo time Machida? Maybe, but the numbers are not in his favor.
Again. Machida is not Bisping.
No one ever said Machida is Bisping. Hendo has knocked out and beaten better strikers than Bisping.
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