Interview With Lyoto Machida (Translated From Portugese)

[Warchief]

Tatame: What thought of your fight against Tito Ortiz?

Lyoto: It was lot strategical. Just as he wanted to make his game, I wanted to make my own. There was much pressure. I think it was a good fight, despite not having done ahead of time. They think him a exceeded fighter, but he is tough and can deal with many people. He is dangerous, strategist. He keeps a lot in ground-n-pound game but scores well.

Tatame: Tito spoke before the fight that would hurt you, but you left clean and he is all hurt ...

Lyoto: Ended that my strategy worked, and his strategy does not. He was prepared to take me down. They told me he was grappling all the time in worming-up and that I should take care with this, it was his game and, thank God, could make my game and hurt him.

Tatame: After winning the struggle that was considered the most difficult of your career, waiting for a chance to dispute the belt?

Lyoto: Of course. This is my fifth fight in the UFC and am ready to dispute the belt. But respect the views of the event and if they think it is not the time yet, I will not fight. I will continue to show the value of my work.

Tatame: How would a fight between you and Quinton Jackson?

Lyoto: I think I have chances, as well as him. We have our strengths, but I believe that in a theoretical vision of the fight, I have more chances. I have better position on the ground and stand-up condition. He is strong, tough, but I have the game to win it. What he can do is try to block my strategies, in this case I think there is 50% to each side.

Tatame: Anything happened behind the scenes of UFC? Dana White was having problems with Ortiz ... He mentioned something about your victory?

Lyoto: He said he liked a lot. I said I did my best and he said he was happy. He also said that almost vomit when Tito put that triangle, but it was getting better when he saws that I was escaping. It was a fight of much emotion, had a great responsibility upon me. About 30 minutes before the fight Dana White was in my locker room and greeted me, said he was eager. I had much pressure. Despite being out of his fight with Ortiz, I was indirectly involved. I felt he was cheer much for me, but I knew that the public was to Tito. I was booed at the end.

Tatame: Why your game is so efficient in MMA?

Lyoto: I think I'm getting impose my game due to the distance of the fight that I keep. It seems that is far, but is close to me, and sometimes it seems that is close, but when they are beating me I'm going and I’ll get far. Keep the right distance and time of fight are my strengths. Many athletes I faced are stronger than me, I know this, but I think as I have managed to dominate the other side of the art, remove much of that. When I fight for the belt wanna be much better than I have now. Combining the best moves, more consistently.

Tatame: Your Karate, being unknown in the MMA, serves as the Jiu-Jitsu of Royce Gracie at the beginning of UFC?

Lyoto: People are accustomed to seeing the Karate as sports, few see it as an art. What I training is the Karate Martial Art, with knee, elbow, combination of blows, following ... Added to all this distance and time to fight, I think it becomes a difference and many people know this, I am one step ahead of my opponents. Our Karate, we will seek to adapt to the MMA, is stronger, not disrespecting what everybody does in Karate, but I and my family care about the Martial Art in Karate. Much that is in Muay Thai is also in Karate, but is used in a different way. As the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu that Hélio Gracie created is much more complete, our Karate is so.

Tatame: Many American critics consider you a great fighter, but that would not be as good marketing, if win the belt. What do you think this?

Lyoto: I agree, those guys really are right. Wanderlei, for example, is an experienced and has an aggressive and marketable style. This is a guy who calls the matches for him, calls the fight, causes and have that part, but I can not change my style. I can compensate in another way, with my technique and my life story, the family, that really is true. I know that could be better in that part, but I can not change my style. I can try to improve technically and be more aggressive. I know that, showing my work, I will have that opportunity to fight for the belt.

Tatame: What are the plans now?

Lyoto: I’m back training with the Gi(Karate-gi). Always when I leave of a fight I go back to Karate with Gi and I prepare for my next challenge. I’m only waiting for the hour. Let's see the fight with the Rampage VS Forrest(Griffin) and wait my turn.

Source

[gogoplata]

War Machida

[Warchief]

I think Machida is going to dispose Rampage, and be champion when given the opportunity...it's just a matter of time.

[hunterkiller]

I like Machida and think he is unquestionably the number one contender.

But, I think Rampage could succeed where Tito didn't, in the clinch, and with takedowns. It will be interesting to see. I just think Rampage is stronger and hungrier than Tito was in that fight. Hopefully, if Rampage wins, we'll get this one in October, November.

[mauladala]

I'll be a Machida fan for life.

[dbader08]

I love Machida so fucking much, he is going to be the man to beat rampage.

WAR MACHIDA.

[Gurry]

Machida is just too nice of a guy, he seems like a very smart guy, doesnt pick battles or burn bridges

[MYboyBISPING]

Omg I was there live for that fight and damn I got a lot of shit for cheering for Lyoto, Tito sucks anyways but War Machida.

[bega]

I give him good chance in standing fight but seeing how he got surprised a bit with Tito's triangle I would like to see him against top level BJJ guy.

Also I would really like to see how he would do against A. Silva

[Jardinewinstko]

i wanna see him fight rampage tho i think page would be better off then tito will be, rampage has much better striking, is stronger, and probally a better wrestler then tito. i think machida wins but i wont bet against rampage in this fight. it will be nice to see machida fight someone with that in ya face style, so after rampage swats forrest next saturday, we should get this fight.