Next relevant fights (as in, relevant to the title picture): Rashad Evans vs Phil Davis (#1 contender fight) Jon Jones vs Dan Henderson (title fight) Rampage Jackson vs Ryan Bader Lyoto Machida vs Rich Franklin Next relevant fights: Jon Jones vs Rashad Evans Lyoto Machida vs Rampage Jackson Next relevant fights: Jon Jones vs Lyoto Machida II Then if Jones wins, he moves to heavyweight. Possible? Probable? In favour? Against? :think
What is the point of Machida fighting Franklin though? Franklin is a chocolate teaspoon at this point. Hendo Vs Jones Machida Vs Jones II Evans Vs Jones Bonnar Vs Jones II That is all i want to see... Lynchburg
I think Machida needs a couple of fights to get some momentum and confidence back. Officially, he is 1-3 in his last four. That's not deserving of another title shot, despite how good he looked in patches in two of the losses, vs Rampage and Jones. A couple of impressive wins would bring him to the forefront again. And I'll assume this was a joke:
machida has weak streak so i would let him fight somebody on franklin level, or maybe some young blood...
That's too soon for both Machida/Rampage II and Jones/Machida II Popkins. Gustafsson, if he gets past the Janitor, is more likely than either for his third fight. It's also possible that either Mousasi or King Mo are brought over from Strikeforce to face Jones. Or a fighter who's under the radar might put a couple of impressive wins together and become a contender - Stanislav Nedkov, for instance. Finally, Anderson Silva/Jon Jones is a genuine superfight, probably the biggest in the sport's history if it can be made. And this is assuming Jon Jones gets past Dan Henderson and the Davis/Rashad winner...
I don't think it's too soon for Rampage-Machida II, and via the way I hope things go, Jones-Machida II wouldn't be happening for quite a long time anyway. You're right though, Gustafsson, King Mo and Mousasi could all have parts to play in this, good call.
I find it strange that people are giggling their arses off at Bonnar Jones II, when the first one when to decision, Jones actually lost a round against Bonnar, and Bonnar's on a 3 fight win streak. Where as Machida Jones II makes perfect sense even though Machida got choked into dream land in round 2 and has gone 1-3 in his last 4.
But dontcha know Machida's figured out how to beat Jones after stealing the first round by landing a couple of punches and kicks, then getting beaten by Jones in all departments, getting taken down with ease, badly cut with G & P, hurt badly and dropped hard standing then being put to bed with jitz. :roll:
He also hadn't even been training for a year before the Bonnar fight, and still managed to dominate him for two rounds before tiring. He would just beat him worse if they were to fight again.
I know. I doubt Bonnar would make it through a round against Jones today, I was just pointing out the inconsistency.
Because it was his 8th fight and his striking, experience, training etc have all improved to the degree where he should only be discussed with elite fighters. Bonnars a fun guy and he is matched quite well but we can't really justify a title shot. Any talk of Machida II is madness. Yes he was awkward in round 1 and caught Jones with a good shot or two but like you said the second round was brutal. Machida is also 1-3 in his last 4 fights and needs to put a run together. He only got this fight because Evans was out of the picture, Rampage/Shogun had been beat and he was the next best thing.