Just a few hours ago, MMA Weekly broke the news that current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion is making his return to the octagon at UFC 139, taking on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
A former UFC light heavyweight champion, Rua, like Henderson, is …
Just a few hours ago, MMA Weekly broke the news that current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion is making his return to the octagon at UFC 139, taking on Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
A former UFC light heavyweight champion, Rua, like Henderson, is one of the biggest Pride stars of all time.
At 41-years old, remains one of the top 205-pounders in the game as he has won six of his past seven, including four stoppages.
Meanwhile, Shogun looked impressive against Forrest Griffin in August, his first fight since losing the light heavyweight belt to Jon “Bones” Jones.
Despite some inconsistencies in the past few years, Rua has avenged three of his five career losses, and owns quality wins over the likes of Alistair Overeem (twice), Mark Coleman, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and Lyoto Machida.
Still in his prime at 29-years old, there is no doubt that Rua is one of the most dangerous strikers in the game right now.
Nevertheless, here is five reason why Dan Henderson will beat Mauricio Rua on November 19.
The UFC light heavyweight championship was long been considered the organization’s most prestigious title and its corresponding division has always been the most heavily promoted. Thus, each fighter who captures the title is practically advertised as a…
The UFC light heavyweight championship was long been considered the organization’s most prestigious title and its corresponding division has always been the most heavily promoted. Thus, each fighter who captures the title is practically advertised as a living god.
But even amongst “immortals” there is inequality. Of all the light heavyweight champions in UFC history, some were far more accomplished than others.
Who were the most accomplished of all the UFC’s “legendary” (in quotes because the term is used far too loosely by the UFC and fans alike) light heavyweight champions? Read and find out! But be warned that the No. 1 pick may surprise you.
When Dana White came a-knocking on Lyoto Machida’s door, Machida responded by slamming the door shut in his face. White was in dire straits when he found out that rising prospect Phil Davis would be a no-show for the main event of UFC 133, a…
When Dana White came a-knocking on Lyoto Machida’s door, Machida responded by slamming the door shut in his face.
White was in dire straits when he found out that rising prospect Phil Davis would be a no-show for the main event of UFC 133, after sustaining a knee injury.
With less than four weeks until the event, and with Rashad Evans without an opponent, he needed someone of note to fill the void, and fast.
In his hour of need, White turned to none other than Machida, the former light heavyweight champion.
Machida had just come off an emphatic victory against UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture at UFC 129. Machida knocked out the veteran fighter via a jumping front kick, effectively sending him into retirement.
Even though it was at short notice, Machida was both willing and able to rise to the occasion. He had assembled his crew and hired a plane and was all set to depart the relaxation of the sandy beaches of Brazil for the gruelling preparation schedule that lay ahead of him stateside.
However, there was one stumbling block, Machida wanted more money—Anderson Silva kind of money. Some might say Machida was being rapacious in his demands; others might say he was deserved of the Silva type of money. Either way, win or lose, it was Machida’s game to play.
White is one of those guys who won’t be held to ransom, and furthermore, if Machida wanted Silva money White expected him to produce Silva-esque performances.
White declined his request. His next port of call would be to the villainous rapscallion Tito Ortiz. Ortiz gladly accepted, but not without assurances and some Silva-type money.
An excerpt of Indeep’s “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” must’ve crossed White’s mind: “There’s not a problem that Ortiz can’t fix, ’cause he can do it in the mix.”
Ortiz had saved the day, but more importantly he had gone up a notch in White’s estimation.
For Machida, well, he turned down an opportunity—not of a lifetime, but an opportunity, nonetheless.
It can’t be said that Machida was afraid of throwing down with Evans. He’d won the light heavyweight championship by knocking out Evans in devastating fashion at UFC 98.
Save for his presupposed rapacity and Silva money, Machida could’ve been right back in the mix, he most definitely would’ve have been the No. 1 contender to the crown if he had defeated Evans.
And right now he’d be waiting in the wings, ready to take on the winner of the Jon Jones vs. Rampage Jackson clash.
So where does that leave Machida? He was last pencilled in to fight Phil Davis at UFC 140, but that has been squashed.
Evans is the No. 1 contender; next up I presume would be Mauricio Rua. After that, it’s anyone’s guess. There might be rematches, injuries—these could all jeopardize Machida’s chances of vying for the belt.
And it’s not even a dead cert that Machida will be victorious in his next fight, whenever that maybe and whomever that might be against.
Then there’s the case of Dan Henderson. If he decides to jump ship and smooth out his differences with the UFC brass, he might just jump the queue ahead of Machida.
I won’t say that the future looks bleak for Machida, but it doesn’t look rosy either.
The road back to UFC Gold might be a long and treacherous one for Machida. He just might find himself in the UFC wilderness for the time being.
On a personal note: It is what it is. Sometimes you get what you’re given and sometimes you get what you ask for.
Like the character from Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist, Machida asked for more, and rightly or wrongly, I think he’ll have to deal with the repercussions of that.
Because hell hath no fury like a Dana White scorned.
When Lyoto Machida won the UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 98, he was a perfect 15-0 and looked like he would be the next dominant champion in MMA. Machida has since been 2-2, which includes a questionable win against Mauricio “Shogun&r…
When Lyoto Machida won the UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 98, he was a perfect 15-0 and looked like he would be the next dominant champion in MMA.
Machida has since been 2-2, which includes a questionable win against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, a questionable loss to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and an impressive KO victory against MMA legend Randy Couture.
Since retiring Couture at UFC 129, Machida has been waiting on his next opponent.
Here are some possible opponents for Machida to face.
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage will feature the light heavyweight championship bout between two of the division’s best fighters ever.We can argue until we’re blue in the face about where they rank exactly, but the bottom line is that these two …
UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage will feature the light heavyweight championship bout between two of the division’s best fighters ever.
We can argue until we’re blue in the face about where they rank exactly, but the bottom line is that these two champions are extremely dangerous and should put on a great fight for the fans.
Jackson himself is a former UFC light heavyweight champion and many believe he is still at the top of his game. He has been in the right place at the right time to get the first shot at Jones’ championship after an injury put off Rashad Evans’ opportunity, but it is his own hard work and ability to “sell” himself to fans that has really given him this chance at Jones.
But is Rampage the man to beat Jones?
There are plenty of up-and-comers in the stacked light heavyweight division, but it may be one of the former champions who actually has the best chance of beating the current champion. There are a handful of former champions who currently sit within or right near the top-10 in the division, but their chances of becoming champion dwindles down each day as they get older.
So which former champion does have the best chance of winning the UFC light heavyweight championship in the future? Read on as we count down each of the 10 former champions and assess their chances of holding the title again.
UFC fans have yet to see Lyoto Machida compete in the Octagon since his knockout victory over Randy Couture at UFC 129.One of the most talented light heavyweights in the world, Machida has been left on the outside looking in, while in the prime of his …
UFC fans have yet to see Lyoto Machida compete in the Octagon since his knockout victory over Randy Couture at UFC 129.
One of the most talented light heavyweights in the world, Machida has been left on the outside looking in, while in the prime of his career. But “The Dragon” is content with that, for now.
In an interview with TATAME.com, Machida said he is remains without an opponent but is willing to wait before his next bout is announced.
“I guess I’ll fight later in November or in December, even so I could have time to get ready, but the guys (from UFC) haven’t mentioned anything,” Machida said.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion was in attendance at UFC 134, where he said he tried to negotiate a deal, but nothing materialized despite his best efforts.
Rumors regarding a bout between Machida and Phil Davis have caught the Brazilian’s attention and although he is interested, he said the UFC have yet to make him an offer.
“People have been talking a lot, but nobody from UFC talked to me, so,” he said.
Machida still has a considerable amount of potential in the light heavyweight division, but the fact that he remains without an opponent seems like a waste of an opportunity. Perhaps it is bad karma following his attempt to negotiate for more money in a proposed bout with Rashad Evans, but that incident has passed and all has been forgotten.
And whether the UFC is already exercising their plans for Machida is anybody’s guess, but it doesn’t look like they intend on acting on the situation any time soon.
When