By Alex Mattis
If last week’s media conference call was any indication of the general consensus heading into tonight’s UFC light heavyweight title fight; Lyoto Machida is being completely overlooked. This would be ridiculous.
Twenty six months ago, Lyoto Machida was the most dangerous and talked about light heavyweight since Chuck Liddell. People tend to forget this. Following a storied series with Shogun Rua and a controversial loss to Quinton Jackson, Lyoto and his “Machida Era” became a troll subject and fodder for all of the Machida critics world-wide. A win over Randy Couture, that will make highlight reels for decades to come, left much to be questioned/desired from the former champion. However, through an act of happenstance, Machida finds himself with his second crack at UFC gold.
Stylistically, Machida offers an interesting match-up for anyone, but for Jones an even more fascinating. Seeing how the reach of Jon Jones has always been a difference maker, it’s interesting no one has pointed out that Machida’s stance will negate it. Seeing how Jones fights wide-open, it is interesting that no one draws attention to Machida being the most precise striker he has fought. Seeing how Jones tries to engross his opponents with unpredictability, it’s interesting no one has mentioned that Machida wrote that book. Oh, and, Machida is the physically strongest opponent Jones has faced to date.
Nevertheless, we must understand this “consensus.” We must understand why the phenomenon of Jon Jones is happening. We must understand why the UFC is making the most of this: This is the first time this has worked. What was suppose to happen with Brandon Vera, Roger Huerta, Dan Hardy, Todd Duffee, etc. has finally happened. The UFC has chosen an individual to push and it has paid off. The man has had incredibly impressive wins, but the promotion machine that has been put behind Jones has led to these foregone conclusions. It has led to this aura of invincibility. The true danger of this is if Bones buys into it.
By no means, does any of this, conclude that Lyoto Machida will be victorious against Jon Jones tonight. It simply means this fight is much closer than one has been lead to believe. Machida is a seasoned warrior and will be well trained for this contest. If Jon Jones beats Machida, it should be regarded as the most impressive win of his career.
The intrigue and wonder comes to a head in tonight’s main event. UFC 140 also boasts a Nogueira-loaded undercard. In the co-main of the evening, Frank Mir and Big Nog will battle in a rematch from 2008. Tito Ortiz and Little Nog will commit to their on-again off-again bout. An amazingly interesting bout between Claude Patrick and Brian Ebersole as well as the guaranteed war between Mark Hominick and Chan Sung Jung will kick off the Pay-Per-View. You do NOT want to miss this one!
