Author Topic: UFC can't find opponents for Machida (Read 2152 times)

Dreadlord · « **on:** June 30, 2008, 11:46:02 PM »

Dave Meltzer reported in the print edition of The Wrestling Observer that the UFC is having a very hard time finding opponents for Lyoto Machida. Brandon Vera turned down a fight with him, and even Forrest Griffin has made it clear he has no desire to fight him:

The winner of Saturday night's clash is likely to face Brazilian hotshot Lyoto Machida next. And Griffin is wary of the threat The Dragon poses. He admitted: "I want nothing to do with that guy. Not at all."

It's not going to be easy to book Machida's fights going forward. The top guys have very little to gain by fighting him. If they lose a boring fight, it's terrible for their reputation and drawing power, and if they beat him, the win doesn't really do much besides boost their credibility among hardcore MMA fans. Even Quinton Jackson has given some signals of late that he is not interested in this fight. The other day he made it clear that he only wants to fight guys that come in and fight, not guys who run away.

Pleasing fans isn't the only obstacle for Machida now. The next one is going to be convincing fighters that there is any upside at all in fighting him, because you need two signatures to finalize a fight contract.

So much for the fighters who claim they'll fight anyone the UFC puts in front of them. I resent the fact that people assume he's "running". Kalib Starnes ran. Machida is elusive but hardly someone who refuses to engage.

Geo · « **Reply #1 on:** June 30, 2008, 11:57:00 PM »

what difference could it possibly make who wants or dos'nt want to fight him,dana makes the match's in the UFC and the fighters fight who dana says they'll fight....

and that article sounds like bullshit because what fighters gonna go on record and say they'll avoid any other fighter ?

Dreadlord · « **Reply #2 on:** July 01, 2008, 12:07:39 AM »

Quote from: Geo on June 30, 2008, 11:57:00 PM

what difference could it possibly make who wants or dos'nt want to fight him,dana makes the match's in the UFC and the fighters fight who dana says they'll fight....

and that article sounds like bullshit because what fighters gonna go on record and say they'll avoid any other fighter ?

I don't think its that simple. I'm sure a lot of top level fighters do have a say in upcoming fights even if the final decision lies with Dana. Remember the TUF finals- the fighters were called in and asked who they want to match up against? Ultimately Dana would make the final decision but why go through all that trouble if the fighters have no say.

Petrucci · « **Reply #3 on:** July 01, 2008, 04:50:19 AM »

the problem is that he already deserves a title shot, but he is boring as fuck and he will not do any good to ufc if he become a champion...
imagine what 'fame' would last for griffin if he loose to lyoto? he will retire after that...

MindSpin · « **Reply #4 on:** July 01, 2008, 02:00:58 PM »

Effective as his style may be, I have zero interest in watching another boring Machida fight.

titusisback · « **Reply #5 on:** July 01, 2008, 02:21:09 PM »

Come on, his style is not THAT boring.

Isn't UFC about the best fighter winning? If not, they might as well make it a freak show. Dana, give Kimbo a call! Why not throw giant silva in the mix too!

americanbulldog · « **Reply #6 on:** July 01, 2008, 03:33:14 PM »

I like watching Machida fight. I wish he had more power to finish fights, however. Definitely not a big payday for the incumbent champion, though.

Geo · « **Reply #7 on:** July 01, 2008, 05:13:26 PM »

yeah I don't understand it,I could name a whole slew of fighters that fall into the boring category and I'm not sure Machida would be on that list

20inch calves · « **Reply #8 on:** July 01, 2008, 05:29:07 PM »

Quote from: titusisback on July 01, 2008, 02:21:09 PM

Come on, his style is not THAT boring.

Isn't UFC about the best fighter winning? If not, they might as well make it a freak show. Dana, give Kimbo a call! Why not throw giant silva in the mix too!

i agree. all that matters at the end of the day is that you win...and he does. so give him his shot. i personally feel that he could beat rampage

SinCitysmallGUY · « **Reply #9 on:** July 01, 2008, 06:02:20 PM »

Quote from: 20inch calves on July 01, 2008, 05:29:07 PM

i agree. all that matters at the end of the day is that you win...and he does. so give him his shot. i personally feel that he could beat rampage

Yeah with a jab and running circles around the ring.. Fuck at least The Blanket koschek gets the fight to the ground.. I was so disappointed in Machida in the Tito fight. He could have won, but instead played it safe and drug out the Victory.. Fuck that, he is boring and I can't wait till he gets grabbed by a fighter and not able to run... BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

titusisback · « **Reply #10 on:** July 01, 2008, 10:50:33 PM »

Quote from: SinCitysmallGUY on July 01, 2008, 06:02:20 PM

BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Start watching WWE then. Lots of drama and entertainment.

Faust · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2008, 02:34:42 AM »

Quote from: 20inch calves on July 01, 2008, 05:29:07 PM

i agree. all that matters at the end of the day is that you win...and he does. so give him his shot. i personally feel that he could beat rampage

It's called Ultimate Fighting Championship, not ultimate winning championship.

I can't hate on Machida though, he's good and he's playing it smart. He does what works for him.

gymrat75 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 02, 2008, 04:17:07 AM »

I would like to see the Axe Murderer fight him!

Logan32 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 02, 2008, 04:45:14 AM »

Quote from: SinCitysmallGUY on July 01, 2008, 06:02:20 PM

Yeah with a jab and running circles around the ring.. Fuck at least The Blanket koschek gets the fight to the ground.. I was so disappointed in Machida in the Tito fight. He could have won, but instead played it safe and drug out the Victory.. Fuck that, he is boring and I can't wait till he gets grabbed by a fighter and not able to run... BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually I don't ever think I have seen Machida run away. When the person is attacking him he maintains distance control. I thought the idea of a great fighter was to avoid damage from your opponent while being able to hit him when you want to. I am neither a fan or hater of Machida. As far as being grabbed by an opponent his last two fights have been against grapplers (Tito and Sokoudjou) neither one of them were able to take him down and in fact Soko was submitted. For all the haters out there would it make you more of a fan if he just stood in the middle of the ring and traded punches with the other person? To compare Koschek with Machida being blind to a skillset you don't like. Machida is very active he moves in moves out before someone can hit. If he had greater KO power I really think peoples opinions wouls change.

MindSpin · « **Reply #14 on:** July 02, 2008, 08:28:55 AM »

As I said before, he has a very effective style and he has had a handful of exciting fights. But, for the most part he is boring as fuck and I don't get excited about any of his fights. GSP, BJ Penn, Fedor, Couture, Andersen, Faber...these are all champs that end fights in exciting fashion. Machida will never get the payday these guys are getting, because he is boring.

SinCitysmallGUY · « **Reply #15 on:** July 02, 2008, 12:19:00 PM »

Quote from: Logan32 on July 02, 2008, 04:45:14 AM

Actually I don't ever think I have seen Machida run away. When the person is attacking him he maintains distance control. I thought the idea of a great fighter was to avoid damage from your opponent while being able to hit him when you want to. I am neither a fan or hater of Machida. As far as being grabbed by an opponent his last two fights have been against grapplers (Tito and Sokoudjou) neither one of them were able to take him down and in fact Soko was submitted. For all the haters out there would it make you more of a fan if he just stood in the middle of the ring and traded punches with the other person? To compare Koschek with Machida being blind to a skillset you don't like. Machida is very active he moves in moves out before someone can hit. If he had greater KO power I really think peoples opinions wouls change.

Don't get me wrong I am not saying the guy sucks.. I am just saying that he is not the fighter that I think he could be... I think he could be much more active. I understand that he wins fights and I wouldn't want him to stand in the ring and throw them with his opponent. I do however think he could do more.. I think that he isn't the best fighter, but he is not the worst either. I just don;t look forward to seeing him fight and I can usually call how his fights will end. I agree with what Mindspin said.

20inch calves · « **Reply #16 on:** July 04, 2008, 01:34:22 PM »

Quote from: Logan32 on July 02, 2008, 04:45:14 AM

Actually I don't ever think I have seen Machida run away. When the person is attacking him he maintains distance control. I thought the idea of a great fighter was to avoid damage from your opponent while being able to hit him when you want to. I am neither a fan or hater of Machida. As far as being grabbed by an opponent his last two fights have been against grapplers (Tito and Sokoudjou) neither one of them were able to take him down and in fact Soko was submitted. For all the haters out there would it make you more of a fan if he just stood in the middle of the ring and traded punches with the other person? To compare Koschek with Machida being blind to a skillset you don't like. Machida is very active he moves in moves out before someone can hit. If he had greater KO power I really think peoples opinions wouls change.

i agree. machida is great at not getting damaged that is why he wins. nothing wrong with that. americans always want to see the knock out. i hate when a crowd boos when they start grappling. that is what mma is all about. its like a chess match..a thinking game

HDPhysiques · « **Reply #17 on:** July 04, 2008, 09:35:10 PM »

Quote from: gymrat75 on July 02, 2008, 04:17:07 AM

I would like to see the Axe Murderer fight him!

Agree

Dballn247 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 05, 2008, 10:22:43 PM »

Quote from: gymrat75 on July 02, 2008, 04:17:07 AM

I would like to see the Axe Murderer fight him!

Word

Captain Equipoise · « **Reply #19 on:** July 05, 2008, 11:16:45 PM »

I hate Machida, he's boring, all he does is run away and back-peddle.. I hope someone like Wandy steamrolls right through him and hospitalizes his ass!

Eat2Grow · « **Reply #20 on:** July 06, 2008, 09:39:03 AM »

I've rolled with Monson in an ehibition. He is the real deal..thick and short,,but no neck to grab and fast as hell. I think the height diff might be a problem such was the case against Tim Sylvia.

MindSpin · « **Reply #21 on:** July 06, 2008, 08:30:56 PM »

Quote from: Eat2Grow on July 06, 2008, 09:39:03 AM

I've rolled with Monson in an ehibition. He is the real deal..thick and short,,but no neck to grab and fast as hell. I think the height diff might be a problem such was the case against Tim Sylvia.

WTF does this have anything to do with this thread

Eat2Grow · « **Reply #22 on:** July 06, 2008, 08:52:21 PM »

Well,,board hopping to fast. Guess I thought I was on the Kimbo thread.

Self Owned $:-\$ .