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Jon Jones CAN BE BEATEN – Machida Speaks

 By Sean Farrell

The time draws near for the fight I have been more interested in than any other sport, “the Dragon” vs. “Bones”.

Lyoto Machida was once where current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is, as it was UFC announcer Joe Rogan who proclaimed the start of the “Machida era” after “The Dragon” won the title by knocking out Rashad Evans.

However, that era wasn’t mean to be, as he survived a grueling five-round war with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to retain his title, but was placed in an immediate rematch with Rua due to the nature of the close decision. Rua won the rematch, and Machida subsequently went on and suffered a second career loss to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson…In a bout where Machida did more damage but “Rampage” did more work.

Now, after embarrassing UFC legend Randy Couture at UFC 129 earlier this year, Machida gets his chance once again to regain his title when he meets Jones at UFC 140 in Toronto in December and possibly starting the “Machida Era” that never was. Machida is taking the place of Rashad Evans, who could not accept the fight due to yet another injury.

“It’ll be a strategic bout, he’s a guy who studies his opponents and so do I,” said Machida, in an interview “He is much versatile and knows a lot of techniques, but we play a similar game. Nobody is invincible. We’re training for the best, looking for enlarging our body and mind and that’s what I’m gonna do.”

Machida won his first 16 professional fights, including back-to-back knockouts of Evans and Thiago Silva. Many felt he lost to Rua in the first meeting(I don’t), thus the rematch was granted. “Shogun” won that bout via knockout in the first round, and Jackson claimed a split decision(in a very close bout but I understand aggression counts on the cards, but why not elusiveness?) Machida’s Mr. Miyagi style jumping front kick KO of Couture, however, tossed him right back into contention at 205 pounds.

I am a huge fan of both fighters, but I am honestly pulling for the man without the belt Machida in this one. But maybe I should pick “Bones” seeing how every time I don’t he decimates them.

UFC 140 takes place December 10 from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

 

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