Last night’s Countdown to UFC 98 special on Spike put a lot of effort into selling Lyoto Machida as a star, running down his backstory and setting him up as a mysterious martial arts warrior with an ancient spirit. I just watched the first half, and decided to pull out a couple highlights for those of you who didn’t get a chance to see it. In the above clip, Lyoto explains exactly why Antonio Inoki slapped the shit out of him, and admits to the pressure that came with being set up as a bagman for Dana White during the Tito Ortiz mess. Also, he explains the historical precedent for his goal of never getting hit.

Reminder: Our UFC 98 liveblog kicks off tomorrow night at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. We’d love to have you stop by.

Tags: Lyoto Machida,MMA,MMA videos,Rashad Evans,Tito Ortiz,UFC,UFC 98,UFC videos

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Smashfacekillah- May 23, 2009 at 1:43 am

Id like to see Dana white do that to any of his fighters, any of them. They would kick the fucking shit out of him.

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?CM- May 22, 2009 at 10:57 pm

holy fuck those were hard bitch slaps

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831 Son- May 22, 2009 at 5:51 pm

Its not like he wouldve hit him back necessarily. Anotonio was a promoter and ex-fighter that took Lyoto under his wing. If it was a random person in the crowd, Lyoto would've wrecked him.

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fightfan- May 22, 2009 at 5:46 pm

WOW. I just realized by rewatching that segment that Lyoto WAS NOT AWARE that it was a tradition to get hit like that???!!!???

So, he did ABSOLUTELY nothing when this guy out of nowhere and for no reqason(at the time) slapped the shit out of him, then punched him good.

I am REALLY shocked now, that Lyoto did not re act at all!!!!!

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Poo Flinger- May 22, 2009 at 5:23 pm

I always wondered why Lyoto did not lay Inoki out or why no one else in the crowd jumped. Man, the city of Japan has some weird customs.

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fightfan- May 22, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Holy Fuckin Shit!!!! I dont think I would of been able to hold back. That Inoki slapped the shit out of Machida, then gave himn a nice punch!!!??? I would of knocked that fool the fuck out. Even though Machida had to have EXPECTED it coming. That was still some bullshit

Imagine if an mma fighters wins a hard fought 3 round decision.......ONLY, then to get slapped hard as fuck by Fedor after the fight. Fedor may have a new occupation after he retires!!!!

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Ceeph- May 22, 2009 at 5:03 pm

It's interesting that they took out the near submission in the fight wiffa cheeto.

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just some dong- May 22, 2009 at 2:51 pm

Good thing the tradition isn't 3 headbutts... Zing!

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Redmoose- May 22, 2009 at 1:43 pm

Damn. That slapping thing from Inoki, even though the third strike is a closed fist, is pretty wild. Whatever works though.

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Redmoose- May 22, 2009 at 1:41 pm

Lyoto by second round octagon control.