Would love Hendo to win, but he's not going to be quick enough. He won't land that H-Bomb, but will get royally outstruck by Machida, before gassing late in the 3rd and getting put away.
I really would like Machida to win, with all the respect Hendo deserves as an MMA legend. I would like to see Machida wins by KO,connecting a punch after avoiding Hendo's punches, similar to the Bader fight. But... I don't see it happening. I think it will be a close fight. I pick Machida, via unanimous decision. The submission is a possibility, of course, but I simply don't foresee it.
Questions: How many more years can Machida fight in high level? With that speed? I consider guys like Couture, Hendo and Anderson Silva to be exceptions. Guys that can fight even close or after the 40's. Is the Machida Dojo preparing another fighter? As the time goes, would Machida faces more and more difficulties to drop to Middle Weight?
Based on the workouts it looks like Machidas looking to counter Hendos right bomb with a left knee which is nuts. That's a hard counter to do, but if either lands it's good night.
The question is how timid will Lyoto be? Remember the Rampage fight, tonight could look a lot like that.
Dan is great at controlling the octagon, cutting off angles and setting up his H bomb. If he pins Machida against the cage, grinds him and dirty boxes... he can really set the tone and wear him out. Dan's greco and scrambling skills should not be overlooked as well.
This is a very close fight, but me thinks Hendo can finish via T/KO if he lands early in the first/second round(s). :thumbsup:
People massively underrate Hendo. He is an animal in the first two rounds. His standup might not look great but he has great range awareness, great timing and great accuracy with his right hand.
This will be a close fight and very similar to the Machida-Rampage fight. The dragon is a great fighter, but he has never ran through guys like Hendo (true ko power and iron chins); I don't see him running through Hendo. Just rewatch the last Shogun and Machida fight and the Jones-Machida fight; Machida is there to hit when he darts in with this patented one-two and Hendo is the type of guy that has the chin, timing and power to eventually catch him coming in.
The Rampage fight was Machidas first back after getting wiped out by Rua. He still looked shell shocked in there. He hasn't looked like that since. He's looked sharp and nimble.
He looked sharp and nimble against Couture and Bader. No disrespect to them, but these guys are not ko artists and both have suspect stand up and chins. He looked good against Jones in the first round, I will give him that; but once Jones took a good shot from him and decided to stand and throw when Machida darted in, he clipped him good.
Machida just does not have the power to make a guy like Hendo, Rampage or Shogun respect him. Plus he knows his chin is average at best. Trust me he will be timid out there with Hendo.
Machida doesn't (shouldn't, I suppose anything can happen but this is highly unlikely) have the KO power to hurt Henderson, and he won't be able to avoid him the whole fight, either. Hendo will cut him off and get in his face from time to time, off and on, he will find a home for that big shot during one of these exchanges and it will be over.
I hate to bet against Hendo but he hasn't fought in 18 months and Machida looked spectacular against Bader. Yeah Bader but still, big athletic wrestler with heavy hands, Machida toyed with him.
Hendo is always dangerous but in this fight, is rightful underdog. His last two wins are great, but clouded by name value.
Dan will beat Machida. He wont stand out there and let him pick his shots. Dan will put his back either on the mat or cage and batter him with knees and punches. Machida is flamboyant but not made for what he,s about to get tonight
The only person to hold Machida down is Jon Jones.
Dan Henderson at age 42 isn't Jon Jones, I was a little surprised by how much bigger Machida is than Hendo which really shows you how much balls Hendo has fighting guys like Fedor. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Machida did to him what he did to Tito.
Dan Henderson by UD. Especially cause this is 3 rd fight. Dan will keep him uncomfortable with dirty pressure hendo style! If it was a 5 rounder would at least let machida have a chance. Heck thats consevative Hendo puts him to sleep if he lands right early
Ya i know i do wish henderson would stay at 185. Its like pick ur poison silva or jones. I do think a 5 rd fight would be better for machida. Ithink dan beats him but ya style wise only other worse matchup for dan is Jones
Hopefully we get a good fight fellas. The fact that Henderson is 42 and is coming of 12+ months of inactivity is a concern.
If he KTFO machida, it would be remarkable; I think he has one more year in him, hopefully he gets his fight against Jones and then his rematch against Silva for his retirement(goat) fight.
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