Ricardo Arona, here is my case, and it's a strong one. Now that, i think and hope, he is done with his surfing/traveling hiatus, I suspect he would provide a huge problem for Machida. First is his temperment, he doesn't care if people don't think he is exciting, so he won't be goaded into rushin in. Next, his leg kicks, he has no other stand up, but he has some of the most powerful leg kicks in the division, he dropped Silva and destroyed Overeem's knee with one. Machida puts a lot of weight on his front leg, if Ricardo can land a kick there, it could score heavily, maybe even blow out the knee and end the fight or significantly change it like Overeem. Also while his standup has always looked bad, he has fought dangerous striker after dangerous striker and Sokodouju is the only one to make him really pay for it; I think it's more just the classic grappling stance to judge distance; all he cares about striking wise is those leg kicks that seem like they are thrown by some sort of mule/elephant hybrid. Most obviously, his grappling; the whole package. He has very good takedowns, doesn't mind pulling guard, and can dominate pretty much anybody from any position: guard (top or bottom), front headlock, and obviously can dominate from dominate positions, and almost never gets put into anything worse than bottom guard, where he would still be at an advantage over Machida. I'm not saying it would be certain, but I think he would be a very interesting answer to the Machida enigma; at least as good as anybody else. Now he just needs to start fighting again, sign with the UFC, and get a win or two; so this might take a while, but Machida might still be on top by then. I'll post some videos when I get off this iPhone, please post some for me in the meantime to show the uninitiated what I am saying, and to remind yourselfs of just how much of a threat Arona would be to Machida.
I have trouble watching Machida because I find him soooo boring. I understand he is a defensive guru and is a big fan of counterstrikes.. it's just I can't pretend I enjoy watching him fight..:dead
His last two fights have been a lot different. I used to feel the same as you, the guy seemed to actually be going out of his way not to finish fights; Tito almost subbing him hopefuy flipped a switch in his brain that ending a fight ASAP is even safer than playing defense the whole time. Have you seen his fights against Thiago Silva and Rashad? Those were pretty exciting, especially once he got his offense going, especially on Rashad who thought talking **** mid fight was a good idea.
Lord alone knows whats happened to Arona. He's probably swinging through the Amazon jungle right now. Arona hasnt fought in nearly 2 years. Heres what Dana had to say about him though: “I don’t think I have been worried about Arona beating everybody, . Didn’t Arona just loose? I think Arona just lost recently. There’s no reason I have been like: “Oh God Arona could beat everybody”, or… You know, if I thought Arona was gonna beat everybody he would be here right now”, said White, who already revealed who he’d like to face in a MMA fight. “I’d fight Arona first because I think he sucks! (Laughs). That’s a tough question. I’m not going to answer that one”.
machida is one of those fighters that only time alone will beat. it wont happen till his competitive instict dims a bit or his body slows a little with age that the other guys will catch up with him..
Machida is a relatively complete fighter. It will take another complete fighter to beat him OR he'll need to face someone who has mastered their art i.e. wrestling, kick boxing etc
Beebs, you made some good points. Machida's next fight may give us an answer. Machida may be better, technique wise, in every aspect when compared to Shogun. Shogun still may be able to use his chin and pressure to push Machida in a way we've yet to see. Machida is fast, and strikes with good precision. Machida is also hard to take down, and even purple belts in bjj appear to be difficult to submit in mma. Machida is a blackbelt, and I hear he is more than competent on the ground. I won't be surprise to see Shogun fail miserably. I also won't be surprised to see Shogun leave Machida in a heap. Shogun attacks, attacks, and attacks; and I can't wait to see how this already shaping up to be invulnerable fighter deals with Rua.
i dont know about that so much. melvin manhoef is a pretty damn complete fighter as far as the standup arts go. i would love to see these two fighters in a stand up war it would be very interesting and i could see melvin sending lyoto into dreamland with a quick combo or visaversa
then i can see why you think he's boring. Watch those 2 fights and you'll change your mind for sure:thumbsup