Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Quote of the Day: Lyoto Machida "I Think the UFC wants a Champion that Chuck Liddell can Beat"



Undefeated light heavyweight contender Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida was recently interviewed by TATAME News and had this to say about the light heavyweight title bout at UFC 86 between Forrest Griffin and Rampage Jackson.

"Look.. to me, Quinton beat Forrest, but they gave it to Forrest. I think the UFC wants a champion that Chuck Liddell can beat, so he can win the belt again.. he is an ex-champion, sells more and has more marketing."


Some strong words from The Dragon, who is looking for a title shot himself.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

good point!,chuck has been the ufc boy for some time,it make sense!
still forrest put on a good fight,nobody can deny it !!
for the rest only time will tell!

G-Off said...

Stick to the ring, Lyoto. Stupid conspiracy theory crap isn't smart to talk about.

Anonymous said...

anyone who claims conspiracy is dumb as a fucking rock. I'm sure if Dana was dipping his fingers in the state athletic commission's pockets he would've paid to get poster-boy Sherk off the hook.

With quotes like this, it's painfully obvious that being a good fighter does not a make you competent...

Anonymous said...

Why is it that the Fans seem to think the know more than the fighters. Just shut up and watch what the give you. Lyoto can say what ever he wants until someone beats him. Until then why don't you go back to your day jobs and STFU!

G-Off said...

"Why is it that the Fans seem to think the know more than the fighters. Just shut up and watch what the give you. Lyoto can say what ever he wants until someone beats him. Until then why don't you go back to your day jobs and STFU!"

What exactly does this have to do with Lyoto being a fighter? Just because he's top 3 in LHW doesn't make what he said an intelligent move. Speculation on judging and the UFC's business practices is no more valid coming from a fighter who's never been involved on the business end than any random fan's opinion.

Anonymous said...

Machida needs to beat some on other then Tito if he wants to run his mouth like that.

Clearly trying to get to jump ahead of Chuck, Wandy, Shogun and Rampage to get his shot.

You would think if the UFC really wanted Chuck as the Champ, he would have got an immediate rematch. Or they would have said the winner of Chuck/Wandy would get a title shot. Instead, that didn't happen

Rampage lost , just ask him, he knows it. Why don't the rest of you.

Anonymous said...

I have nothing but the utmost respect for Lyoto as a fighter and as a person. But he is talking out of his ass with that quote. Throwing around the idea of a fix or that somehow the judging was influenced by Dana White or the UFC is a SERIOUS accusation. Are all of you trying to imply that Dana White is paying off officials and the State Athletic commissions to have decisions go their way? Then do some investigative work and find some actual substantive PROOF or keep your dumb conspiracy theories to yourself instead of throwing accusations around at people when you have NOTHING that backs it up.

"Machida needs to beat some on other then Tito if he wants to run his mouth like that.
Clearly trying to get to jump ahead of Chuck, Wandy, Shogun and Rampage to get his shot."

Machida is 13-0 with 5 straight wins in the UFC including Sokoudjou and Ortiz. Shogun lost to Griffin, Rampage lost to Griffin, Chuck lost 2 to Jardine and Rampage and won 1 comeback fight against Wandy. Wandy lost 2 in a row and won 1 comeback fight against Jardine. Are you seriously saying that Machida is trying to jump in front of these dudes? 2 of which lost their last fight and the other 2 only winning 1 of their last 3 bouts??? Fighters have done ALOT less to deserve a title shot. I think going 13-0 with 5 straight wins in your UFC debut should constitute a serious consideration for title contention. If not now then at least after 1 more fight.

Anonymous said...

While the conspiracy talk is silly Machida is OBVIOUSLY frustrated that he hasn't been contacted yet about a title shot. It's obvious to him that they intend for Chuck to get another shot (despite two losses) before he does.

You can't blame him for being annoyed. I DO find it funny that Forrest won with a strategy that some might call "machida-esque"

Anonymous said...

You guys are all idiots. Keep talking but until you can go out and do what he does keep it shut.

Also don't talk about the business side of things unless you do it for a living. As I can guess none of you are in the business there is nothing you can say that makes a bit of difference.

Anonymous said...

"Machida is 13-0 with 5 straight wins in the UFC including Sokoudjou and Ortiz. Shogun lost to Griffin, Rampage lost to Griffin, Chuck lost 2 to Jardine and Rampage and won 1 comeback fight against Wandy. Wandy lost 2 in a row and won 1 comeback fight against Jardine. Are you seriously saying that Machida is trying to jump in front of these dudes? 2 of which lost their last fight and the other 2 only winning 1 of their last 3 bouts??? Fighters have done ALOT less to deserve a title shot. I think going 13-0 with 5 straight wins in your UFC debut should constitute a serious consideration for title contention. If not now then at least after 1 more fight."


VERY WELL SAID!!!!

Anonymous said...

Why is it that some of you attack anyone that speaks their mind? Machida saw the fight and came to the same conclusion as everyone else i know in real life.(i am NOT counting with hairless preteens who hide behind computers to run their hate and ignorance from a safe distance)Rampage clearly won that fight and the tittle was taken from him, and that my friends is a fact. anyone with eyes and come to that conclusion. now WHY did it happen? well my guess is as good as anyone else, but ANYONE THAT ATTACKS A PERSON and tries to discredit him/her because he/she expressed a different opinion is an automatic dushbag with no honor moral or anything decent in him/her. Now stop with the personal attacks because to the educated eye you are just labeling yourself as an ignorant fuck. peace

Anonymous said...

one thing that aparently is missing on the discusion.. dana doesnt have to do shit to the officials, he is the president of ufc, the officials are indirectly dependent on him. of course he has some pull there. and have you guys ever heard about corruption? just look at our goverment, u think the oil companies have no influence on the goverment decisions? not one bit? you guys are too nieve! if corruption exists in the goverment why do you idiots think its impossible for dana to get to the refs? idiots!

Anonymous said...

Well i certainly don't want to have Machida as champion and go through 25 minutes of boring.

Anonymous said...

i think forrest won the fight, the only thing rampage had on him was a handful of good punches, forrest dominated him for most of a round in mount, and had several sub attempts, and was landing a fair amount of strikes....

Anonymous said...

the most annoying thing about mma is the fans acting like experts it makes me sick..please understand youre spectators no mma experts..just keep it simple..youre making yourselfs look stupid..boxing fans are not like this.

Anonymous said...

By points Forrest CLEARLY won that fight.I'm really surprised at Lyoto Machida considering Forrest used Lyoto's own similar karate type style of hit and run. Was it exciting? no, but Lyoto's fights usually end in that similiar fashion. To say Forrest lost is to say he doubts his own wins...

Anonymous said...

who gives a flying fuck about boxing...it's dead.

Anonymous said...

Looks like ole' uncle Essential is going to donate 2 cents. I usually don't comment on "word on the street" but I find this discussion rather heated so why not.

If I was doing as well as Machida on such a stage as UFC, I would want my title shot too, but it doesn't work that way. Not conspiracy, just human nature; you have to understand the politics of such an organization to understand why Machida ISN'T getting his shot right now. I'll try to keep this brief.

The Fighters, Dana, Frank and Lorenzo, the fans, the refs, the athletic commissions, all of it contributes to the actual reality of the UFC, which is not just cage fighting but BIG BUSINESS that plans for the future: Chuck Liddell still has to defeat Rashad Evans; fans love rematches; Machida is young and could possibly defeat anyone while if you look at it, Rampage, Liddell, Wanderlei, and others, aren't getting any younger.

Let us not forget Mr. Anderson Silva; he can't speak english (equals "hard to market in America") but is so fucking devastating that he'll get his shot quick if he continues to not look like he got into a fight after every fight he has paticipated in recently.

That's how it goes. If Machida keeps his mouth shut and keeps winning I promise he'll get his shot in a year. I'd like to wager he'll fight Silva by 2012.

So let's see who actually fights Griffen next. I actually thought he won but what the fuck do I know.

Anonymous said...

there is OBVIOUS favoritism in the UFC, especially for chuck. No one denies that. I think people are blind to think that the UFC is professional and untouchable. Look at the way its president talks for fuck sake. He talks shit about his own fighters all the time.

Anonymous said...

So, OK. I don't care for either Forrest or Rampage necessarily. AND I AM BEING FUCKIN HONEST HERE. I think it was REaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally close. But I'd give it to Forrest. Just because he got a mount, lots of low kicks, didn't look tired at the end and showed better octagon control. But like I said REALLLLL y fuckin close.
I think Machida is just upset. He's gotta a point but I don't believe in his conspiracy theory. One thing though... I hope he doesn't fight Anderson Silva. To me they are like in the same team, as TATAME said, they are good friends and both brazilians. I like the multi-national cards. Yeah! But one can only hope.

Anonymous said...

MACHIDA THE NEW FUTURE CHAMPION OF U F C !

THE BEST POUND FOR POUND FIGHTER OF NEW GENERATION!

ASK TO RICH FRANKLIN, DAVID HEATH, SAM GRECO, NAKAMURA, SOUKODJOU, ORTIZ, PENN...

THE STRATEGY FIGHT OF LYOTO IS VERY IMPRESSIVE, EVER DOMINATING THE GAME....

GORDOBJJ.

Anonymous said...

Machida said it all. I know him personally and I'm sure ha wasn't creating any conspiracy plot. This is only a perfect conclusion of what problaby happens in the UFC. It's only business and he knows it. Anyone with at least one brain cell Knows Liddell has a marketing behind him stronger than any other fighter in the light heaviweight category. However, he's surely not satisfied to be left behind some fighters who had lost some fights when he's undefeated in his UFC career.He deserves a title shot ans I want it to happen with Liddell, so Machida could finish his pretentiousness for once.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, what the fuck do you know? All Morons!!!!!

Anonymous said...

The controversy over Forrest's shady victory continues--even from fighters themselves!

To dismiss Lyoto's quote--who's much closer than any of us to the sport, the administrators, and the athletes--would be a mistake. Liddell is the *most* recognized name for UFC, and now UFC must compete with other organizations that genuinely threaten their monopoly (Affliction).

Great points, essential.

Anonymous said...

"Machida is 13-0 with 5 straight wins in the UFC including Sokoudjou and Ortiz. Shogun lost to Griffin, Rampage lost to Griffin, Chuck lost 2 to Jardine and Rampage and won 1 comeback fight against Wandy. Wandy lost 2 in a row and won 1 comeback fight against Jardine. Are you seriously saying that Machida is trying to jump in front of these dudes? 2 of which lost their last fight and the other 2 only winning 1 of their last 3 bouts??? Fighters have done ALOT less to deserve a title shot. I think going 13-0 with 5 straight wins in your UFC debut should constitute a serious consideration for title contention. If not now then at least after 1 more fight."


I don't disagree with your statement, I just think Machida needs to beat someone else in the UFC beyond Tito Ortiz before he gets a shot.If he beats one of the other guysI mentioned, then yes, he deserves a shot. But not until then. There is too much talent at 205 for him to jump up so quickly.

Also, isn't Rashad Evans undefeated? And I seriously doubt anyone would think he deserves a title shot.



"Why is it that some of you attack anyone that speaks their mind? Machida saw the fight and came to the same conclusion as everyone else i know in real life.(i am NOT counting with hairless preteens who hide behind computers to run their hate and ignorance from a safe distance)Rampage clearly won that fight and the tittle was taken from him, and that my friends is a fact. anyone with eyes and come to that conclusion. now WHY did it happen? well my guess is as good as anyone else, but ANYONE THAT ATTACKS A PERSON and tries to discredit him/her because he/she expressed a different opinion is an automatic dushbag with no honor moral or anything decent in him/her. Now stop with the personal attacks because to the educated eye you are just labeling yourself as an ignorant fuck. peace"

Take your own advice. Everyone I know, including a guy who has fought in the UFC, thought Forrest won, and laugh at all this whining that is going on from the people who lost money on Rampage that night.

Anonymous said...

It's not conspiracy. It just depends on what you find more valuable in a fight. Rampage rocked and knocked down Forrest several times. Forrest had some leg kicks and a half round of mount, but with no damage done while in mount. Rampage was the aggressor and was moving forward the vast majority of the fight. At the end before the decision was announced the producers made a big deal of showing Forrest's highlights yet none of Rampages. At that point, everyone watching the fight with me said "oh shit... there gonna give it to Forrest." You could see it coming from a mile away. The decision came...the crowd, that was chanting for Forrest at the beginning, was booing the decision because they saw, first hand, Rampage win the fight and knew it was bullshit. Then Forrest immediately starts to talk of a rematch. People who know they won, don't start talking about rematches. Those of you out there who eat up all of the bullshit the establishment sells you, without putting in any effort to look under the surface, need to get your heads out of your asses and see what it's like to do some individual thinking in open air.

Anonymous said...

how can anyone say rampage won that fight??? he was simply out classed!

Anonymous said...

This is just getting a little ridiculous

Anonymous said...

"how can anyone say rampage won that fight??? he was simply out classed!"

cuz most ppl see headshot as more important than leg kicks. would u rather wake up 1 day with a fucked up leg or a friggin brain injury? anyways machida is prob pissed cuz he feels it's his turn. liddell did turn down a fight with machida

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the complement mcj, and I agree, this debate is becoming ridiculous.

Want to piss off the UFC? Stop watching these fights that piss YOU off and start watching/buying tickets to other organizations (DREAM and Affliction come to mind)

That's how you affect a business: hit their bottom line. If the UFC is terrible, stop watching the fights that will make you want to spout off to a bunch of digital strangers that could give a rat's ass. Personally, I like to write these comments. I don't for other websites and such, just this one. I do believe that these discussions DO create a needed sense of depth to the sometimes shallow world of cage fighting (which is not necessarily the world of martial arts).

And Richard Pauly is still awesome; for not only publishing my "articles" but for publishing even the most ignorant of comments. Gives me a sense of FREEDOM OF SPEECH in a land who used to understand what that really meant.

All due respect for Machida, but Liddell will get favortism until he's done with fighting; which could be within a year or two. Fighters like Griffen (save for career ending injuries) have YEARS left in their career, which is PLENTY of time to lose and even regain the Title.

Time will tell; keep on training.

G-Off said...

"This is just getting a little ridiculous"

Getting?



Listen, Rampage-Forrest was a close fight. I think Forrest won, but neither fighter was decisively better. People saying either fighter "obviously" won or reverting to insulting the other side as "hairless preteens" are being idiotic and unreasonable.

Lyoto's comments imply that he thinks there was some sort of fix to give Forrest the fight because he's more likely to be beaten by Chuck. I'm a fan of Lyoto as a fighter and person, but this is just a stupid thing to say. He's indirectly discrediting the organization he fights for, sounding like he's paranoid and insulting his boss all at the same time. Stick to fighting and let refs and management do their jobs too!

And to those of you who fall back on "Well you're not a fighter, so shut up!" First of all, fans have a right to speak their mind in the first place. Second, no one's talking about Lyoto as a fighter, so the comparison doesn't matter. Third, what Lyoto said has nothing to do with him as a fighter! He's talking about reffing and business and matchmaking, all of which he has absolutely no involvement in anyway! Fourth, even if we were talking about Lyoto as a fighter, fans are entitled to express their opinions unless they say "I could do better." Otherwise, why does it matter that the person criticizing isn't a fighter? Informed fans can certainly tell when a fighter isn't doing well or could be doing better.

Anonymous said...

i think that to get a belt you must win the fight not leave it to the judges... and to me was a very close fight and i sltill will give it to rampage i think forres is a good fighter but i dont think he has what it takes to be a world champion like gsp or anderson silva (I ALSO REMEMBER TO YOU THIS IS NOT A PLACE TO INSULT YOUR SELFS IS FOR MMA TALKING..) sory for mi english frank the tank

Anonymous said...

I doubt the conspiracy theory. Chuck v Rampage would have been a huge fight, probably would have happened already if he didn't lose to Jardine.

Unfortunately for Loyoto he doesn't market well. New fans like to see knockouts, Lyoto's style is appreciated by those in the know. I feel sorry for the guy as if Silva continues his current form and gets a 205 title shot then its over for Lyoto as their training partners so he's got to get in there fast.

Anonymous said...

Lyoto Machida's comments were translated incorrectly. On sherdog.com they started a new thread stating what he really said he did not discredit the UFC in anyway.

Anonymous said...

you have to beat the champ to be the champ forrest didnt do that on the other hand qrj needed to be more aggresive wich he wasnt forrest threw more and landed less rampage threw less but his punchs caused more damage in the end the fight was super close could have gone eather way on maybe 2 rounds forrests mount was pretty crappy considering he didnt do a god damn thing when he was on top with all that said i saw a draw that way each fighter would have a chance to come back with there A game but no fucking way was the fight as open as those blind ass judges scored it eather way i agree with machida hate it or love its so obvious but eather way a rematch is must

G-Off said...

"Lyoto Machida's comments were translated incorrectly. On sherdog.com they started a new thread stating what he really said he did not discredit the UFC in anyway."

I saw that too. I take back what I said about Machida's comments being stupid. He said in the interview he didn't mean to say they gave the fight to Forrest. What he said (implied, really), was that he thinks the UFC might give Chuck a title shot over him because Chuck is very marketable as a champion. It had nothing to do with the Forrest fight.

LINK: http://www.cagepotato.com/2008/07/11/exclusive-interview-lyoto-machida/