Sunday, May 24, 2009

Lyoto Machida: A New Hero of Mine

*Spoiler Warning: If you have not seen UFC 98, I discuss the results in this blog post.

I watched the fight in great anticipation: two fighters, both undefeated, Lyoto Machida vs. Rashad Evans. Lyoto Machida is a staunch traditionalist who fights true to his original style, Karate. Rashad Evans is the consummate opportunist who seems to specialize in capitalizing on people's weak moments, often resulting in knockouts.

I cheered on Machida, hoping he would make Evans eat some humble pie (Evans was always too cocky for my liking). I was not disappointed. Machida knocked him out very cleanly using his unique style. To give Evans credit, he has an incredibly tough chin. In this fight, he took a number of hard hits and kept on fighting. But one can only take so many before the body gives out. He was outclassed and in his post-fight interview he was extremely humble about the results of the fight and gave credit where credit was due.

As for Machida, in previous fights he has been known to jump up on the cage, cheering on his own victory. In this one, he pretty much broke down in tears, grateful that all his years of hard work and dedication to his very traditional art have paid off against a truly tough opponent.

Lyoto Machida, I applaud you.

4 comments:

Glenn said...

Did you know...and I am not making this up. This is straight out of Fighter machida practices a very bizarre morning ritual. It has to do with urine.

Lori O'Connell said...

And what is the ritual?

Unknown said...

Karate works!:D
I could not agree more, a beautiful fight by Machida. It would be great if more people like him joined the UFC and brought true style not just brawling to the worl of MMA.

Glenn said...

This is a exact passage from Fight Magazine page 24, May 2009 issue, who got it from Brazilian magazine Tatame.

LIQUID DIET
"My father does that for a long time and bring it to us. People think it's a joke (laughs). I never said it in the United States because I don't know how the fans will react (laughs). I drink my urine every morning like a natural medicine"