Is Machida A Legend?
 

do you think he's an MMA legend?

imo he is but whats your opinion on him?

No.

He's not a bad fighter by any means but guys like Wanderlei, Chuck, Fedor, Anderson, GSP, Hughes, Penn, Nogueira, and Randy are what I consider legends, dominate for a long period of time, people who did it in multiple weight classes which Machida does have a shot at doing if he dropped to 185 or guys who have storied careers and put wars or had great come backs in a guy like Nogueira's case.

What makes him a legend in many ppls eyes though already is the inspiration he gives. Also I dont see Randy as much of a legend he can never hold a title long enuff and the division was weak when he was in his prime.

Don't know how he can be a legend, both times he defended the title, there was controversy. I also don't think Couture deserves to be in the legend category, he had a belt at HW but the competition back then was very slim.

I just read a thread, about threads like this.

No hes not, hes just as much a legend as any person who one a title. then lost it.

No, not a legend.

He was (so far) a 1 time title holder who defended his belt in an extremely close and controversial fight, lost his title to the same guy in his next fight, and so far has been a contender generally speaking, but he just had his shot and lost.

So, although right now definitely a huge mark on the LHW division and a great fighter, he is not HOF material right now and unless he does some spectacular things in his future, he won't be remembered as a legend (I assume).

No. He's a very good fighter but not a legend and I never see him becoming one either.

No, people throw around titles like that too often.

People miss the whole point on Couture. Yes, Couture is. Because he never had a prime. Name one guy who has never seen his prime in MMA yet has had that much success. Not to mention, in addition to spending half his career in his 40s, he was always the MUCH smaller man at HW. So he was an old ass man who was undersized.

The fact that no one will ever be as good as COuture was in his 40s makes him legendary. Although Hendo is doing very well...he has a ways to go to reach his mid 40s and still be doing it at a high level.

Couture is legendary for it. That is the definition of a legend. Someone who defies the odds...and did something where years from now fans will be like "remember old man Randy winning and competing at a high level at age 45? That shit was crazy".

To rehash, no Machida isn't. Certainly will go down as one of the more interesting styles in MMA history. But legendary? I don't see it.

When talking about legends, people also have to realize that it's the not fighter's fault who they fight at their time. It's not like they can use a time machine to leap into the future where the division becomes "stacked."

He "should...he really should." He posesses the skills and has the background to make for a movie story. Unfortunately it's marred by the latter part of his career so at the moment no.

He should have won against Rampage easily making him the #3LHW. It's a tank full of sharks. I think a Shogun who fights all out with fury in the first round can end Bones. It will not last five rounds. We've already seen Rampage, Machida, and Shogun get hurt pretty badly. Hendo is the only one with the chin and power + wrestling, but lacks the conditioning (age factor) to fight strong for the last two championship rounds. Otherwise it's Machida who has to fight a perfect fight.

When that time comes for Shogun to reclaim his crown I will put down $50. Shogun never loses a rematch and I'm sure the odds will be huge against em. :)