Machida: I try to be very empty in my fights
Lyoto Machida: “I try to not put a lot of emotion in my fights, in my staredown. I try to be very empty. No emotion. No mind. Nothing like that.”
Top UFC middleweight Lyoto Machida sat down with Phoenix Carnevale‘s Everything Martial Arts, ahead of his fight Saturday night with Luke Rockhold, in the main event of UFC on FOX 15.
Machida was trained from birth in Shotokan karate, by his father Yoshizo, and carries both the techniques and the spirit of traditional martial arts into the Octagon. He discusses the Japanese concept of Mushin (no mind or no-mindness), the mental state traditional martial artists seek in combat.
The fighter was asked if he believes more MMA competitors would benefit from taking a traditional approach.
“It’s hard to be like that,” replied Machida. “Because everyone comes (from a) different way … For example, some people, come from wrestling. They don’t have a very traditional philosophy of martial arts. Then it’s hard to regress something like that from people that don’t know. I grew up like that. My father is a master in karate. He always taught me the philosophy of karate. When I’m talking about philosophy, I mean respect, willpower, self confidence. Those qualities, I think it’s very important, not just for fighting, but for any person. Doesn’t matter if you are a doctor, if you are a lawyer, or something like that, you have to have this philosophy.”
“When you have something within, it becomes more easy. Then I was raised, I grew up like that, because my father taught me everything. Then every day I try to challenge myself, everyday I try to respect someone, I try to know what is my limit. I cannot cross the line, I cannot bother someone, I cannot – I know my limits, I know what I can do. Then I try to do, every day, stuff like that.”
‘The Dragon’ was asked what is important to him.
“To keep my principles,” he said. “To keep my principles, I think, is the most important thing. Every day, everyone change, it’s normal, but your principles never can change.”
Machida was asked about his staredown strategy. The fighter, clearly nearling the end of a media grind, then smiled.
“Just to be calm,” he said, smiling. “To look in his eyes, every time. And concentrate with myself. I try to not put a lot of pressure, I try to not put a lot of emotion in my fights, in my staredown. I try to be very empty. No emotion. No mind. Nothing like that.”