Lyoto Machida to Face Thiago Silva at UFC 89; Lytle/Taylor Also Added
(Silva and Machida: Someone's "0" has gotta go.)
The UFC has just announced that light-heavyweight technician Lyoto Machida (13-0) will face another undefeated Brazilian — Thiago Silva (13-0) — in a bout at UFC 89 (October 18th; Birmingham, England). Well known as a patient counter-striker, Machida will have his hands full with one of the most aggressive fighters in the league. Silva, who's coming off a first-round TKO victory over Antonio Mendes at UFC 84 in May, owns nine wins by first-round stoppage and has only been to a decision once in his life — a marked contrast to Machida, who just picked up the eighth decision win of his career with his handling of Tito Ortiz, also at UFC 84.
Last month, we speculated that "the UFC will eventually have to throw one of the Silvas at Machida, because it seems that only a hyper-aggro fighter who’d be willing to literally chase Machida around the cage (and absorb some damage in the process) would stand a chance of beating him." The Machida/Silva matchup represents the pairing of two men whose styles are complete opposites, and it'll be interesting to see who can better execute their gameplan. No matter what the outcome, the winner will unquestionably prove that he's ready for a title shot. Any early predictions?
In other UFC 89-related news, the UFC has re-signed Chris Lytle (25-16-5, 4-8 UFC) to a four-fight contract extension, with his first match being in Birmingham against Brit Paul Taylor (9-3-1, 2-2 UFC). I'd think that a four-fight extension is a little generous for someone who already has twice as many losses in the Octagon than wins. But hey, the fans want blood, and Lytle gives it to 'em in pints...
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Comments
Matt Herpes Says:
Thiago Silva always looks awesome, but he's unproven against top competition. When the biggest name you've beaten is Houston Alexander, I wouldn't say you're one fight away from a title shot. I think Machida is better at what he does (like it or not), and he's beaten guys who are more talented and experienced than Silva (ex-UFC champions in three different weight classes, for starters). Machida by another unanimous decision.
MMA-hole Says:
Machida by repeated footsweeps until Silva taps out.
FAS Says:
finally, someone who actually has a shot at pounding machida into the dirt. DONT LET ME DOWN, THIAGO!!!!
joe Says:
Just has a look a some of thiago's fights. Looks very proficient on the ground and has aggressive stand-up. The main weak-point i see for this fight is that his stand-up defence looks a bit questionable. Anyway that's just my arm-chair analysis. Looks like a great match-up though, their both brazilian, up-and-coming and both 13-0. Machida obviously has an edge in terms of qulity of opposition faced.
kissenger Says:
YES BITCHES! I'm so happy right now. I bought tickets to 89 last night. Cost me an arm and a leg, and I was a bit unhappy about the card - until now! Machida is my favourite fighter and Thiago is a bad man. This will be AWESOME!
UFC really came through
Payday Says:
Wow...another *great* match up of opposite styles. I look for another fucking bore-fest ala Patrick Cote Vs. Ricardo Almeida and their *epic* fucking clash of opposite styles.
Bitch'n 'bout every match Says:
Well Payday they have to try different matchups otherwise you have no new fights. Yes Cote / Almeida sucked but that wasn't the UFC's fault just the fighters and this isn't the same kind of opposing style. The last was standup vs ground game and this is aggressive vs boring so hopefully aggressive will win although I think Machida's superior skills will win out and this ppv is going to disappoint. Point is you don't know unless you try and at least this isn't the headliner.
jimmy Says:
Fuck you guys for trashing Lytle!!!
He deserves to be in the UFC, and I don't care about his record inside the octagon. He takes on anyone, and proves that he has the skills to be in there against the very best in the world.
If Lytle had the road that Koscheck of Diego Sanchez got in the UFC, he would be nearly undefeated.
Lytle rules!!!
Dr. Says:
FUCK him up Thiago! Love the "literally chase Machida around the cage" comment. You will all be able to hear me cheering from your window if Thiago puts this fucker down.
Oh wait.. let's get this thing to a decision where Machida does just enough to add another W to his impressive list of other decision victories. Pace yourself Machida. You wouldn't want to throw too many punches or kicks. It's not a fight after all.
Still won't order this shit because Machida isn't worth the money, even with wanting to see him and Bisping get beat.
Who Cares Says:
If i had to put money down on the fight. I would say Machida by decision. If you asked me what i would want to see happen, then Silva by (T)KO in the 2nd.
Timborski Says:
Anyone know where I can buy that hat? My younger brother is a huge liddell fan but I know he doesnt have that hat and his birthday is coming up. They have one at icemanmma.com but its not the same. I like this just plain victory hat
gracies suck ass Says:
Machida by an elusive decision.
Awesome fight Says:
this should be great. we get to see thiago get stuffed repeatedly. machida will win the decision. you heard it here. all you " machida is boring" peoples should just watch kimbo slice/tank abbott for the whole 3-4 hours of the ppv. watch those unskilled brawlers go at it bitches.
ADW Says:
Usually I would be hugging Machida's nuts but I have to root for Thiago on this one. Thiago is fucking MURDERER. Silva is going to chase Machida down and pound his face in. Lyoto is a lot of trouble. I want this fight to be a wake up call for Machida so that he will learn that his strategy won't make him a champion. Even if Machida wins by decision there will be a trip to the hospital for him at the end of the night.
GO THIAGO!!!!
Aaron Says:
# gracies suck ass Says:
July 16th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Machida by an elusive decision.
Ok- now you are actually funny. How many times can Rogan and Goldie say elusive?
tully Says:
i got thiago silva by tko 2nd round. im goin out on a limb here but i called melvin for KO of the night (when these potato guys were hatin left and right) so i feel like im on a roll here.
while im at ill say lidell by KO, duh. and leben and bisping will be a ko/tko, im not sure who, but i dont think they're goin to a decision, and both rarely look for takedowns.
and obviously lytle isnt gonna be champion or even a real contender in any division but after a fight like that he better get a good contract.
Who Cares Says:
@ awesome fight
Seriously man not liking Machida doesn't mean you only like watching kimbo or tank brawl... MMA is not Machida on the left and a bunch of no talent brawlers on the right. If you were a true MMA fan you would realize this. Love or hate Machida thats your own call but keep the retarded comments to yourself.
I'm starting to realize it might not be that i hate machida so much i think i just hate the majority of his fans...
@Who Cares Says:
"If you were a true MMA fan you would realize this."
So now I have to doubt Machida to be a true fan of MMA? My my, aren't you an elitist douche. I was doin 2 things in my post: fight prediction and hatin on the Machida haters. See, the fight I brought up is the direct opposite of Machida. I don't think he is the be all, end all of the world, but i happen to like his style. I don't find it boring in the least. I know I won't have to listen to as much UFC bullshit filler programming if lots of the fights go the distance. I still like knockouts as well. That's why I will be ordering the Affliction PPV. I think lots of those fights will be brutal KOs. But your extremely precise well thought out retorts surely entitle you to call my comments retarded. Carry on, you fucking tool.
Piffzilla Says:
I hope Silva smashes that karate kid. Running around the ring back peddling does'nt win my vote. Thiago has pounded out alot off poeple, I think Lyoto is next up!
ballzak Says:
id like to see silva win...i been watching his last couple fights close and i like the improvements ive seen. i havent seen machida up his game in a long time...the same stuff every fight. i say pitbull in 3 rounds by tko.
Dr. Says:
@ Awesome Fight
If you actually understood the 'Who Cares' comment you'd realize that just because one doesn't like Machida or his style, it doesn't make them fans of shitty brawlers such as Kimbo or Tank.
'Who Cares' got pissed that you insulted their love for the sport by calling out all the Machida haters. I, personally am not a fan of Machida and NOT because I want to see senseless fists flying at each other. I just don't like watching him fight. Just as much as I don't like watching EliteXC's freakshow fights. Saying that we don't appreciate the intricacies of his style or MMA as a whole, only highlights your ignorance. Sure he didn't need to call your comments retarded, but they were borderline.
I like that you're a fan of Machida's. I'll like it even more when he gets stopped. I'm not going say that you must only like this or that because of cheering for him. You do what you gotta do.
Who Cares Says:
@ Dr.
Man you put it down better then i did, thank you. Yes retarded is a strong word but after about 2 months of reading so many "if you don't like Machida go watch bumfights" comments i just get tired of it all. I believe there are many other technical fighters in MMA besides Machida.
Plus the dude calls me elitist aftter he pretty much said all Machida "Haters" go watch Tank and Kimbo for 3 hours... i think that dude just needs to look in a mirror.
but if my use of the word retarded really hurt you so bad then im sorry "keep your lame comments to yourself"... more PC for you awesome?
@ who cares and Dr. Says:
First off, it was the "IF you were a true fan of MMA" comment that made me call you elitist. Dr., at least you are fairly well spoken. Who cares comes up with nothing but repeating what the other person said. He is one of the typical assholes who boos when the brawling stops for even a second. I guess we all agree to disagree
Read comments before responding Says:
Awesome, seriously you need to read what people type before responding
He said "Seriously man not liking Machida doesn’t mean you only like watching kimbo or tank brawl… MMA is not Machida on the left and a bunch of no talent brawlers on the right. If you were a true MMA fan you would realize this."
He isn't calling you out about being a Machida fan he is calling you out for your comment saying that fans are either for Machida or fans of mindless brawlers. So read it and read it again..... and again and then think about what it means.
PE Fights the Power Says:
Rumor on the street Machida is training with Starnes for this fight. They are participating in grueling 5 minute rounds of standing there staring at each other.
Jared Says:
Lmao liked the starnes comment, gave me a good chuckle
I really like Thiago and i want him to win with a ko to prove hes for real but lets be honest nobody's gunna beat Lyoto. Besides maybe the lhw kings(page,wand,liddell). But Lyoto just knows how to win, and hell do anything just to make sure he gets the W. ALTHOUGH id like nothing better than thiago to pound the shit outta him:D