Lyoto Machida is a great fighter but may not be flashy enough for Dana White's liking. Photo Courtesy: Zuffa, LLC
Dana White is afraid of Lyoto Machida
Lyoto Machida deserves a title shot but will Dana White be willing to give him one? Photo Courtesy: Zuffa, LLC
I’ve been accused several times of being a Dana White mark and writing for him. Although I am a fan of White and what he’s done with the UFC, that is hardly the case. I have criticized him several times, most notably for being tight with the UFC’s wallet when it comes to paying his fighters.
Another issue that has come up recently is his unbiased affection for Chuck Liddell. It is becoming clearer everyday that if and when Liddell beats Rashad Evans that he will be first in line to face Forrest Griffin. Several have said that the Rampage-Griffin fight was in fact fixed since White believes that Liddell couldn’t beat Rampage. Rampage isn’t the only fighter that White fears. Lyoto Machida may be the best fighter in the world that has no shot of fighting for a title in the near future.
Machida is undefeated in his career and has a record of 13-0. He has wins over Rich Franklin, BJ Penn, Nakamura, Sokoudjou and Tito Ortiz. His detractors say he is a boring fighter and runs too much. I think it makes him very smart. He takes calculated risks and retreats to avoid getting hit and receiving damage. Machida dominated Sokoudjou and pulled off a submission victory. He also stepped up big time against Ortiz. Ortiz was close to catching Machida in a triangle but he was able to work his way out of it to pull off the victory.
Dana White is always about the flash and the big knockout instead of seeing a fighter for the skills he brings to the fight. Machida should be fighting again in the next few months. If he wants to make a splash with fans and Dana White he’ll need to be a bit flashier and finish a fight in spectacular fashion. To MMA fans that know a great fighter no matter how flashy, they already know that Machida is ready to be crowned a champion for Dana White.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 at 8:45 pm and is filed under Sokoudjou, Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell, In the Cage, Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Pay-Per-View, Dana White, Tito Ortiz, UFC.
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7 Responses to “Dana White is afraid of Lyoto Machida”
July 11th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I am a HUGE MMA fan I like what Dana has done for the sport but I do think he has let it go to his head. I don’t care who is the best fighter in the world. I watch to be entertained Machina is one boring fighter. I would rather see someone that I like go out and get dominated instead of watching someone run for 15 min. if I wanted to see that I would watch track and field events. I do think that Affliction will be a huge competitor but I think there is enough market for both. I would put my money behind Trump anyday.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:46 am
mike: “I don’t care who is the best fighter in the world. I watch to be entertained” -> FAIL
Watch WWE or Toughman competitions if you want to be “entertained” in that manner. I am watching the SPORT of MMA. I want to see different martial artists showing their skill and strategy in the cage, not a bar brawl. I want to know who is the BEST fighter, not who can slug it out like a bum.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I like Machida, he deserves his shot. But, Franklin is a 185 Champ, he went to a close decision with BJ Penn (I think BJ won that fight) who is 3 classes below him. Nakamura is ok, Sokojou is young and is hype from his 2 big KO’s, and Tito is one dimensional. Long story short, his competition has been good, but he has not beaten the level Liddel has (2 wins over Randy) Wanderlei (wins over almost everyone except liddel). Even Forrest has a win over Shogun who at that time was considered best 205 in the world. I like Machida, but a case for his detractors can be made, I think he needs to beat a top 5 opponent b4 a title shot, JMO.
July 12th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I’ve been hearing a ton about supposed ‘best fighters in the world’ apparently, it doesn’t take much to be that anymore. Also, the Iceman had the title for two fucking years. This guy can not be counted out.
July 12th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Machida is the new 205 champ. Hate it or love it, thats what is going to happen. The art of any combat sport is to inflict damage on your opponent while trying to receive the lowest amount possible. Machida is an expert in that. He will be the anderson silva of this class. I love mma to the fullest, and have watched for a while. Machida is very unique.
His style is wonderful—not boring.
Best pound for pound in the world: anderson silva
Most gifted ever: Bj penn
BEST: FEDOR….im a big fan
July 12th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Also…i dont count iceman out……unless he is fighting machida or rampage. Or sokudjou–the guy is a beast. No more belt for him, but he will be a good fight filler.
July 13th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
i dont care who entertains the fans the most ..winning is winning .. it doesnt matter how you win as long as you get the W .. which Machida has done.. at the end of the day i want to know who is the best fighter and clearly Machida deserves a chance at the belt… dana white can be an idiot sometimes like putting brock lesnar in the co main event when he hasnt even proven anything yet.. he is 0-1 in the ufc and he is in the co main event ?? thats boolshit
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