Lyoto Machida: “I’m training harder than ever to get this belt.”

Published on: 15th April, 2009

Lyoto Machida: "I’m training harder than ever to get this belt.” | read this item

Get me some Pee Pee!!!

Lyoto Machida vs Rashad Evans is a close fight on paper, both fighters are defensive, smart and undefeated. So it is really hard to say there is one place you can spot a flaw or weakness in their fighting styles. Machida knows that he will have to be at his best when he faces Evans in order to take his title, and he says he is training harder than ever.

Sherdog.com caught up to Machida and spoke to him about his upcoming bout against Rashad Evans.

“Rashad is a very strategic and calm fighter. Against Forrest he was being punished badly and turned the fight around, but my father and my brother are helping me a lot to bring up my game. I always dreamed for this opportunity and I’m training harder than ever to get this belt.”

I am still “on the fence” about this fight so can I get some predictions? Who wins why and how do they win. Don’t give me a bunch of “Machida by Rape choke” or “Rashad by flying knee” predictions either.

Alberto Martinez "The Narcisist" is the founding owner of URDirt.com. If you would like to post on the front page or in our New "Fan Jab" section all you need to do is register. Read more from this author

Readers Comments

LHK22 says:

April 15, 2009 at 11:52 am LHK22(Quote)

Rashad can control the whole fight with his wrestling I think that gives him the leverage to win this one by decision or how ever he wants

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Fedor is legend says:

April 15, 2009 at 1:04 pm Fedor is legend(Quote)

Machida is going to win its a no brainer Rashad struggled against Tito and Machida destroyed him easily and took him down at will

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Joe says:

April 15, 2009 at 2:48 pm Joe(Quote)

Machida via late sub or decision

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- Hellbow says:
  
  April 15, 2009 at 7:05 pm Hellbow(Quote)
  
  @Joe, agreed I see it going down one of two ways. Rashad KO’s Machida some how or Machida takes him to the ground and surprises him like he did to Tito at 83 and keeps him on his back long enough to sub him
  
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chiggs says:

April 17, 2009 at 8:55 am chiggs(Quote)

Ahh finally back to good ole Udirt As for Lyoto, he takes it round two, KO or Sub. Defintely dont see it goin to decision on this one. If Rashad does win, it’ll be by Ko in the 1st/2nd or decision. War Machida!!!

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James says:

April 22, 2009 at 9:00 am James(Quote)

If it goes the distance, Lyoto definitely gets the decision. Rashad’s chance is to hit him with a big, lucky shot and hope that his chin doesn’t hold up. Rashad’s definitely the dog in this fight.

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BigTayo says:

April 22, 2009 at 12:28 pm BigTayo(Quote)

I think the champ will pull this one out with his wrestling. Machida is dangerous off his back but Rashad has good submission defense and with both fighters trying to counter standing, it could result in a close fight that the judges score for the more promoteable fighter, the American.

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Rashad Evans Vs Lyoto Machida UFC 98 - Fighter Analysis With Pics | SLC MMA says:

May 19, 2009 at

[...] of that, he’s mentioned how he’s noticed Rashad’s calm scheming style. Rashad is a very strategic and calm fighter. Against Forrest he was being punished badly and [...]

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Utah Martial Arts » Rashad Evans Vs Lyoto Machida UFC 98 - Fighter Analysis With Pics says:

May 19, 2009 at

[...] of that, he’s mentioned how he’s noticed Rashad’s calm scheming style. Rashad is a very strategic and calm fighter. Against Forrest he was being punished badly and [...]

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