Machida: ‘I can get Jones to the fifth round’
Once, Lyoto Machida had never lost a round in the UFC, and became light heavyweight champion of the world. Then…
Once, Lyoto Machida had never lost a round in the UFC, and became light heavyweight champion of the world. Then he lost his title to Shogun, and lost again to Rampage. There was talk that with another loss he might be cut from the UFC. Then Machida leapt in the air, Couture’s tooth came flying out, and the sport collectively shouted “holy f—— s—!”
When an injured Phil Davis dropped out of a contender fight vs Rashad Evans, Machida was offered the last minute replacement spot. The Dragon agreed to, but shortly afterwards asked for “Anderson Silva money.” A visibly upset Dana White brought in Tito Ortiz instead, and for a while Machida was left to twist in the wind.
Now, on December 10 at UFC 140 in Toronto, Machida fights for the title vs. Lightheavyweight champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones. Machida reflects on his strategy with Sherdog.com
It’s hard to say what the perfect style is to stop Jones. I have a lot of trust in my skills against any fighter. I won’t change what people have seen, and I’d rather show them in the Octagon instead of talking about it beforehand. Jones wasn’t my problem until the UFC booked the fight. I’ll spend a lot of time studying him and find the best way to stop him. I know he’s versatile, but I have my own talents and know what it takes to win.
The fight will be decided in the Octagon. Let him be the favorite. He’ll enter with the label of being a prodigy, but I’ll be stronger because of that. Since I’m the underdog, I will enter the fight even more motivated to show that I deserve to be here and to show why they offered me the chance.
I’m a complete man now that I’m 33. I’m not a 22- or 23-year-old kid anymore. What changed most for me was my maturity and the experience I gained. It’s something subtle that people don’t see easily, but you feel the change. You acquire things you couldn’t even imagine.
We told (mangers) Ed and Joinha that we would want to bring in Anderson to help, but I can’t count on that because he has so many obligations, and I respect that. He’s the biggest name in MMA. I would love to have him beside me for this camp and he will be welcomed if he joins us, but I don’t want to count on him and not have it happen.
I can get Jones to the fifth round. I believe in myself, in what I’m doing and in my teammates.
I’ve seen athletes that returned from an even longer period of inactivity and had success. I’ve been away from the Octagon for less than seven months, and I’ve been training. I won’t have trouble getting back in there.
