ZZtigerZZ81

I am a huge Machida fan...only fighter I like more is BJ penn right now.

As a fan of his though, i will be the first to admit that Shogun won that fight. He beat Mach in all but one round in my eyes and that was without the bias call of Joe Rogan. I have learned to not listen to his commentary when Shogun and Penn fight because he would blow both those guys hands down.

That being said...it was obvious that Machida lost his biggest strength in that fight...his focus. If he gets that back, he will beat Shogun easily and I selected by KO.

But it was great to see Shogun back at 100% or what seemed to be 100% at least.

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Davisty69

I think this will be easier for Machida to train for than Shogun. Shogun can only really do the same thing and hope that Machida hasn't figured out how to adapt. Machida, on the other hand, needs to correct the problems presented by Shogun.

I have Machida by decision, though hopefully he comes out more aggressive because that was when he was doing best in that fight.

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ZZtigerZZ81

Agreed...I think he was really surprised taht Shogun was pushing the action so much...that is what it looked like at least and if so, that is weird because Shogun has always been the aggressor.

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rabakill

Each fighter can only change so much in the time between fights, they won't completely change their style. And stylewise, Rua takes it because of the way his body is built, it gives him more power behind his kicks and Machida's leaning back will open him up to kicks every single fight. This time, I see Rua getting Machida's rhythm down even more and taking him out in the third or fourth round. Unless Machida starts to lean forward, he will get kicked in the legs and tko'd. Rua does not fear getting hit, he gets knocked out in training, Machida's counter punches are not feared by Rua.

No_Mercy

The first fight was certainly Rua's best opportunity to surprise everyone! Now his main tactic is outta the bag. Still hard to call even though I bet on Machida. Rua was impressive. You know if he won though...we're definitely seeing Anderson Silva vs Shogun which will be EPIC!

MikeHawk

You guys act like Machida has these amazing gameplans when he's really only stuck to the same thing throughout his career. If anything I give the rematch to Rua since he came in and surprised everyone with a completely new mentality and gameplan. Rua obviously has the ability to change the way he fights but I don't think Machida can do the same since his style is so unique.

ZZtigerZZ81

Ummm...don't count on that because that is a traditional shotokan stance and it won't be changing. He was off for one fight and people act like his style is completely useless all of a sudden. This isn't a gimmicky offense in the NCAA...this is one of the oldest martial arts in the world. I would bet that Machida has much more power behind his kicks and punches actually. It is called core strength...when Rua throws a kick/punch it doesn't come straight 9 of 10 times therefore losing lots of power. In the world of karate the core is the power behind almost all strikes. Even though his strikes look slow, there is almost an entire body of weight behind most of them...that coupled with his usually impeccable timing = lots of counter strike knockdowns. If Machida starts to lean forward, not only will he be out of his comfort zone, but those strikes to the leg will be even more damaging.

I am not sure that you know much about karate or even martial arts at this point.

His gameplan was the exact same as it always is...what do you mean? If you mean he did something to Machida that no one else did then yea it was new...but he did the same thing he always does.

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MikeHawk

Are you crazy? How in any way shape or form was Shogun's gameplan for the Machida fight the same gameplan for any of his other fights?
Shogun showed he can be more technical and patient. I don't know about you but I've never seen Shogun fight like that.

But, on the other hand you never see Machida coming in with any other gameplan than to utilize his speed and his stance to jump in and land strikes then move away.

ZZtigerZZ81

Shogun pressures at the same rate...he was a little more cautious but his attacks were the same and came from the same angles as they always have. He has been more cautious in each of his fights in the UFC.

I think you are minimizing Machida's methods too BTW

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alizio

im willing to bet sigs, $, credits or w/e that machida wont have a different game plan and he will fight like he ALWAYS fights. He wont suddenly become aggressive and he wont suddenly start checking leg kicks. He will just look to counter and back pedal, counter and back pedal.

The only way i see him changing his game plan so to speak is if Shogun goes for the takedown but i dont think he will. But i think alot of ppl are expecting too much of Machida, he doesnt adjust, we saw that in the 5th round of a championship fight many ppl thought he was losing, at the very least he had to think that round could be the decisive one and what did he do?? The same thing he always does.

Obv it was Shogun that showed the versaility last fight, he went from Wandy clone to a guy that picks his spots and moves in and out, a beautiful thing to see. He definately has more gears then Machida who is stuck in neutral all fight unless he has you hurt then you see a sudden flurry and think "why doesnt he do that more??".... prob because he loathes taking risks.