Lyoto Machida Discusses Griffin vs. Evans, Silva vs. Rampage, and Much More

Posted by Dustin James on 01.07.2009

Does Machida think he can defeat Evans?

UFC light heavyweight Lyoto Machida recently sat down with Tatame.com and discussed the Forrest Griffin/Rashad Evans & Quinton Jackson/Wanderlei Silva fights from UFC 92, if he thinks he can defeat Rashad Evans, and much more:

On training for his fight with Thiago Silva at UFC 94:

"I'm training for this fight for a long time, I'm in the 16th week of training, so now I'm already in the final straight of the training, making the replenishment of energy, technical part... I'm with my father and my brother, and my fitness coach, who are helping me a lot here in straight final. I'm making a strategy for the fight too...

"I'm training a lot my specialty first, the stand up game, my Karate, I've been focusing in this a lot, also the takedown part and the ground game. I do the complete training, but I prioritize what I have better, my strongest weapon, stand up fight. We always make a study of the opponent, I do this for about three months, seeing how he is, where he works, so I can beat up on these things not being surprised."

How does he feel about Dana White saying Machida could be the best "pound for pound" fighter in MMA in a few years:

"I'm very honored to receive this compliment from Dana White, who isn't just an owner or promoter of an event, he understands the fight and more or less where each one wants to get, where is mistaking, what's missing, and I'll strive to reach his expectations and my fans. I think anyone would be honored and happy to receive this compliment, but I'll work with humility to be better and don't be thinking that I'm the best. I don't think anything like that. Everyone has their stage, I'm getting better at every fight, training a lot, gaining confidence and I think this is important for my career."

If he defeats Silva at UFC 94, does he deserve a chance at the UFC Light Heavyweight Title?:

"I think that if I don't win the chance, I'll be very close. My time will come."

His thoughts on the "Rampage" Jackson/Wanderlei Silva fight at UFC 92:

"In every fight, anything can happen. I thought Wanderlei was the favorite, even because he had already beaten him twice, but every day the MMA grows in popularity and technically. Comparing, six years ago everything was very different, today is more strategic, if you make a little mistake you can lose the fight. The Americans are getting better, everybody wants their place in the sun, so what happened was this. Quinton got a strategy that fitted better that day, but I'm not saying he is better. As the Minotauro... That day Frank Mir was better, but Minotauro is able to turn things around, is young and tomorrow can be better than them and that's my vision. The MMA is growing so much that one loses today, the other wins tomorrow, everyone is studying and you cannot make mistakes."

His thoughts on the Forrest Griffin/Rashad Evans fight at UFC 92:

"I thought that Forrest would win, but, as always, every fight have two sides and Rashad is a tough guy, created right a strategy, know the right time and, every guy like that becomes dangerous, calls you to his game... It was what he did, waited, waited and was even worse in the fight, but the chance appeared and he didn't lose it, ended the fight. I think Forrest has more resistance, even more technical on foot, but Rashad is a strategist and this counts a lot today."

Can he defeat Rashad Evans?:

"Look, I think Rashad is a complete guy, has the wrestling as a background, but I see some flaws in his game, although I'm not worried with him now. My focus is Thiago. I look, but I don't get much information of the opponents that I'm not focused, but I see some holes in his game (Rashad), but I prefer not to think yet, he is not the one for now."

You can read the entire interview here.