Machida open to catchweight bout before title shot

MMALivesHere

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (19-3) says he’s open to another fight before his promised title shot. Following last weekend's split decision win over Pride legend Dan Henderson (29-9), Machida is faced with a long wait for the winner of Jon Jones (17-1) and Chael Sonnen (27-12) on April 27. The Brazilian karateka told MMA Junkie he was thinking about taking another bout in the meantime, possibly at catchweight. Looking back on his UFC 157 clash with Henderson, Machida said Hendo was “feeling the strikes” in the third and would have been in trouble in a five-round fight.

“Let’s see what happens in (Jones vs Sonnen) and the timeline that they come up with and if nobody gets injured. A lot of things can happen, but depending on the timing, I could even do another fight at a catch weight or something else to not lose the rhythm … It’s not just about the belt for me. Of course, everyone wants to fight for the belt and I’d like to fight Jon Jones in a rematch, but I want to keep fighting. I want to keep challenging myself, so it’s really not just about one thing … (Five rounds) would have been a lot better for my style of fighting. If you look at the third round after we got back up, I was a lot more comfortable in the fight and I felt that I could strike a lot more. Henderson was feeling the strikes. So if I had the extra two rounds, it would have been a different story.”

From MMA Lives Here

PoloRidah

I give Machida props for not "waiting" like the majority of fighters would once told they have the next shot, but why a catch weight? And who would be a good match up?

Junglebird

good on Machida

spartacus_

PoloRidah said:

I give Machida props for not "waiting" like the majority of fighters would once told they have the next shot, but why a catch weight? And who would be a good match up?

i wonder the same, maybe he wants to fight at 195, since he weighted 202 last time?

PoloRidah

I imagine someone is going to call Machida out after hearing this news. Opportunity to beat the number one contender and get thrown in the title mix. I can't think of anyone that would make sense though.

ultimatefightingchamp

Should fight Belfotrt

PoloRidah

ultimatefightingchamp said:

Should fight Belfotrt

Hell yeah! I'm down for that matchup.

Watch Te Huna will call out Machida now instead of Shogun.

Ansem

War Machida!

Junglebird

Man.... Machida would absolutely wreck BelfarTRT

PunchBag

im not sure they would fight isnt belfort now buddies with the their camp?

im guessing it will be against someonew from 185 at 195 though

Ansem

They should feed Bisping to him, or Luke Rockhold.

bluesy

Don't know if Dana would be into the idea. He usually doesn't concede to fighter's wishes after dogging their last performance. He'll probably brush it off and say it doesn't make any sense.

PunchBag

pretty sure dana would rather have machida fight someone than take the 1 contender spot.

MIRKO_CRO_COP

how about belfort ?
think about it
the weight would be perfect for both

belfort says he wants a crack at jones.
machida wants a fight
here you have it
if he beats machida, he gets the rematch

spartacus_

if Mousasi wasn't fighting Gus that would be perfect, as he could go either 185 or 205 after

Sisti

finally an article that makes a fighter look good...or at least not a diva

Sisti

MIRKO_CRO_COP said:

how about belfort ?
think about it
the weight would be perfect for both

belfort says he wants a crack at jones.
machida wants a fight
here you have it
if he beats machida, he gets the rematch

dang...that's an awesome idea. i honestly don't even know who would take that fight...they are by far the 2 best guys at MW/LHW range that do not have a belt

ThePack19

Machida should call out A. Silva....Oh wait......they're BFF.

Sisti

ThePack19 said:

Machida should call out A. Silva....Oh wait......they're BFF.

Machida is about as perfectly matched up as you can get to be a solid MW. He weighs in for most of his fights at 202 meaning he is naturally less than the max weight (something no fighter has these days).

I def think he will claim the belt at MW once Silva retires and have a hard time seeing anyone challenge him. Vitor's the only guy who could beat him and I wouldn't mind seeing that match soon at a CW. Both of those guys don't really have a clear direction on where to go so hopefully somewhat at UFC reads this and they make it happen. If not, I'd like to see Rockhold/Machida as well and think that would def help one of those guys go to the next level

Sephiroth388

I am happy to see a fighter willing to fight another challenger rather than wait 8-10 months (at least) for the next title shot.

However, thank God Almighty in Heaven that the Henderson fight wasn't five rounds. I would've fallen off my stool at Hooters due to a boredom-induced coma. I understand that Machida isn't going to bullrush his opponents, but seeing him flee from almost every single exchange is downright painful.

edh1

Junglebird said:

Man.... Machida would absolutely wreck BelfarTRT

SEND VITOR ''THE MINISTER" BELFORT TO SEE HIS MAKER,JUST UNTIL HE WAKES UP ON A STRETCHER

edh1

Sisti said:

MIRKO_CRO_COP said:

how about belfort ?
think about it
the weight would be perfect for both

belfort says he wants a crack at jones.
machida wants a fight
here you have it
if he beats machida, he gets the rematch

dang...that's an awesome idea. i honestly don't even know who would take that fight...they are by far the 2 best guys at MW/LHW range that do not have a belt

GUS >BELFORT

JoeTheGiggolo

Machida vs Lombard......wait nvm, Lombard won't get passed Okami. Machida vs Glover?........No wait....He is getting a Bader Nuke detonation on his chin.... hmm....Maybe Machida vs Philippou at catch weight?

idrankyourbeer

lol @ machida ducking chael sonnen for the title.

carnages41

Yeah why not......alll he has to do is backpedal and he will be declared the winner...he won't get injured and his fight with Jones won't be delayed....no brainer, free payday

PunchBag

i can see machida koing belfort, his chin isnt hendo solid.

still 2 of my favoirte fighters no idea who i want to win

RodrigoRua

Truth is that since Jones came along, all these guys like Evans, Shogun, Rampage and Machida (very top contenders before Jones era) kinda lost smth, kibda lost smth on their hunger for that belt. Why ? Cuz they know they can beat the whole LHW division but wont beat Jones.

Jones moves up to HW and all these guys (if still around) come alive again !!!

If you paid attention on tv, Machida was just like "ehh, whatever if i fight for the title or not" and thats not really what u see on other division top contenders.

RodrigoRua

.. for the records ... Machida would CLEAN OUT the mw division regardless of his style being boring for some ...

If Anderson retired today, Machida would take that belt and hold for a long time

GoToGuy

If the Dragon loses between this fight or against JBJ he may be preparing for a move to MW. EIther way, WAR DRAGON!

secondsout

I don't think fighters in general want a fight with Machida, because he is dangerous striker. Maybe Rashad calls him out to try to redeem himself.
The funniest would be if Jones pulled of the fight with Sonnen due to an injury, and UFC made Machida vs Sonnen.

Teenage Fanboy

First, for many Hendo won. Second, Jones already said Lyoto he doesn't like to fight Lyoto because he doesn't sell well.