Machida vs Weidman

[Kanku65]

Originally scheduled for May 24th after Belfort was forced to drop out due to the banishment of testosterone replacement therapy, Lyoto Machida wil now be teeing off against Chris Weidman July 5th.

Who out there is excited for this match?

Who has predictions?

Personally I would love to see Machida take it, but i am drawn about 50/50 considering the skills and stats of Chris Weidman. Defeating Silva twice is no moderate accomplishment. Calling it phenomenal, could actually be considered modest.

Thoughts?

[Wado Heretic]

I do not think Machida has the tools to slip Weidman up. Machida is also the older fighter and though he has proven exceptional in in his recent matches at his dropped weight, he never has been known for exceptional knockout power though the ones he has pulled off in his career have been earned and well set up. Machida is the more technically skilled striker but I do not believe he has it in him to stop Weidman.

Machida is also the weaker in the take down range and I suspect if it goes to the ground, we'll be seeing Machida fighting from his back and though he has submission credentials he has shown a lack of submission awareness before.

Weidman's strengths are Machida's weaknesses. However, I believe Machida has the potential to carry the fight. He is a former champion with excellent form and if he can keep it standing he might just uncover a weakness that Silva did not.

My money is on Weidman but I would not count Machida out.

[Kanku65]

Comparing the stats of both fighters on sherdog, it's interesting to see just how identical the fight history is between the two. (specifically the first 11 fights considering the extant of Weidman's career.)

It's true that Machida is the elder, having almost 10 years of age on Weidman, and does not excel in ground fighting. His takedown defense is however impressive, and has in fact won 38% of his fights via TKO. That again is going against Weidman's 45%...

In the end, only time will reveal the outcome.

I'm cheering for Machida, specifically because of his roots in Shotokan, but my faith is definitely split 50/50 with this one. Sadly.

Im greatly looking forward to this one.

[wagnerk]

...I'm cheering for Machida, specifically because of his roots in Shotokan, but my faith is definitely split 50/50 with this one. Sadly.

Im greatly looking forward to this one.

Same here

[Wado Heretic]

Yes, they do have oddly similar statistics. Personally, I think Machida can carry it if he keeps it as a stand up game and can set up one of his technical knockouts, or if he can trick Weidman into a mistake during a takedown attempt. However, I do not think he can go toe to toe in a punch off with Weidman, he would lose that on the basis of power. Plus, if it goes to the ground and he fails to recover Machida will be in trouble.

In the game of MMA I root for no man, I just hope the better man wins and we see something interesting to learn from.

[jaypo]

Machida has been my favorite fighter for some time now, and I think he had the skills to beat Weidman. But Weidman also has the skills to beat him! It depends on who executes their game plan that night.

I do like Weidman, but I don't particularly like Matt Serra who is one of his coaches.

[sensei8]

...I'm cheering for Machida, specifically because of his roots in Shotokan, but my faith is definitely split 50/50 with this one. Sadly.

Im greatly looking forward to this one.

Same here

Ditto!!

[Archimoto]

I'm torn on this one because I truly like, admire, and respect both fighters. I'm happy either way. I simply hope they put on a good fight!

[sensei8]

I'm torn on this one because I truly like, admire, and respect both fighters. I'm happy either way. I simply hope they put on a good fight!

To the bold type above...I concur!!

[jaypo]

Man, that was a great fight. I didn't realize how great Weidman is. His movement was unreal, and Machida, a master at counter attacking couldn't do anything for 2 full rounds. In the 4th and 5th, though, Machida turned it on and almost finished Weidman each round. But it took him too long to figure out the champ. Weidman said something to him after the fight, and although I couldn't hear it, it seemed like he was telling Machida that he and Weidman are the 2 best in the world! He handled it with class. 2 warriors in a great battle. While I'm sad that Machida lost, I'm happy that we have a champ like Weidman.