UFC 123 Nov. 20, "Rampage" vs. Machida in Michigan

Wolfgangsta wrote:

It wasn't so much that Shogun was technically sound, it was that he was technically sound and lightning quick. Rampage is none of those.

All that is true. But we don't have an answer to how Machida can perform after a loss. What kind of confidence he will show now. You would think even if Machida's mind set is the same his opponents will not. After watching Machida get out performed 2 fights in a row things change. It's not the same Machida Rampage and Rashad wear bitching about on TUF.

CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!?

Machida isn't some mental midget. He'd been undefeated in less fights, but for about as long as Fedor. He'll be fine. It's not like he didn't lose in Karate, BJJ or Sumo competition in his life.

Ali_1748 wrote:

Anyone want an early sig bet ?

I got Machida.

I got u again ali. I give page more of a chance than most and thats going up against my boy. Going with the gut. I think page closes the distance and gives machida hell.

killerofchicken wrote:

CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!?

YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! That phrase alone got a man voted president, figured it wouldn't hurt here.

sokolkevin wrote:

Ali_1748 wrote:

Anyone want an early sig bet ?

I got Machida.

I got u again ali. I give page more of a chance than most and thats going up against my boy. Going with the gut. I think page closes the distance and gives machida hell.

Thanks for being a good sport Kevin.

and please no more Utd next time

oh yeah fuck everyone.......nah just kidding

Ali_1748 wrote:

sokolkevin wrote:

Ali_1748 wrote:

Anyone want an early sig bet ?

I got Machida.

I got u again ali. I give page more of a chance than most and thats going up against my boy. Going with the gut. I think page closes the distance and gives machida hell.

Thanks for being a good sport Kevin.

and please no more Utd next time

ha no prob

Wolfgangsta wrote:

Machida isn't some mental midget. He'd been undefeated in less fights, but for about as long as Fedor. He'll be fine. It's not like he didn't lose in Karate, BJJ or Sumo competition in his life.

What do we really know about Machida's confidence moving forward? It is a question he has never needed to answer. You would atleast agree that his opponents mentality is not the same as it was when he was undefeated and seemingly untouchable. I'm not saying that Machida won't have the answers to these questions, I'm saying he has never had to answer them before. Which makes things a little more interesting.

I donno. If I were fighting Machida I would think "ok well Shogun at his zenith can do it. All I have to do is fight like him". Ya, the aura is different but it's still going to be there.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

I donno. If I were fighting Machida I would think "ok well Shogun at his zenith can do it. All I have to do is fight like him". Ya, the aura is different but it's still going to be there.

Yeah I agree, I'm not saying all the sudden it is all gone. Just saying things are different now, even if only slightly. That alone opens the door more then it would have been in the past IMO. Again we are talking about Rampage have a chance to do it, not saying he probably will.

Presumably Page won't need to worry about getting taken down by Lyoto, so that's one plus for him. However, Machida is going to be the much quicker, much more elusive fighter. He is going to be able to attack Page from any angle he wants because Page is going to stalk Machida like he does to everyone...slow and steady.

I can't imagine what a feast Machida is going to have on Page's lead leg.

All that being said, Page has a chance against anyone, especially if they don't rely heavily on their wrestling and takedowns. I can't see Machida laying Page out with one blow, but I could see Machida doing the stanky leg if he makes one mistake.

I don't know bigs. Machida took down Ortiz a couple times, he shrugged off Rashad Evans and Tito like they were kids and he took down Shogun with ease as well. I think if Machida wanted to get the fight to the ground, he could..especially since Rampage is more than likely preparing for a fight that will be standing the entire time.

KingsOwn19 wrote:

I don't know bigs. Machida took down Ortiz a couple times, he shrugged off Rashad Evans and Tito like they were kids and he took down Shogun with ease as well. I think if Machida wanted to get the fight to the ground, he could..especially since Rampage is more than likely preparing for a fight that will be standing the entire time.

Yeah I'm with you, I think Machida could take Page down if he wanted to. I just don't think he will. He knows he's much quicker than Page. I suppose if by some act of God Rampage is winning the standup then Machida might go for a takedown. I just don't think that will happen. Page's best bet in this fight is a frontal lobe rattling KO shot. Machida can win this fight in just about any fashion he wants.

Wouldn't it be interesting if Page came out and tried to take Machida down right away?

Maybe if he were training with Greg Jackson.

I'm interested to see if Rampage has any tricks up the sleeves for this one. I think coming off a loss and against a guy like Machida he may try something a little different in this fight. He has to know coming out that Machida will just be expecting to tee off on that lead leg. I'd be surprised if we didn't see some kind of different strategy

I'd give anything to see Rampage slam The Dragon for a KO... Just for old time sakes.

Rampage will try and bait him into counters and get frustrated when he can't. Then he will chase. It's what always happens.

lets see how hard Rampage tries to get out of this

IN MICHIGAN???? HELL YEAH!!! If its at the Palace that is like 20 minutes from me. I think I will try to be there boys!

good stuff tim who ya going for?

I would be rooting for Rampage!

same i dont know what it is im not that big of a Machida fan

Birdofthad wrote:

same i dont know what it is im not that big of a Machida fan

im not either. He is a great fighter I just dont care for him. I dont hate him as much as I hate GSP but it is close LOL.

timthebim wrote:

Birdofthad wrote:

same i dont know what it is im not that big of a Machida fan

im not either. He is a great fighter I just dont care for him. I dont hate him as much as I hate GSP but it is close LOL.

You suck at hating fighters almost as much as you suck at fantasy sports Timmy.

If Rampage wants to be a contender again he needs to do a Rocky Balboa and hire a former opponents trainer. This time it being Greg Jackson. I think he could be champ again if he trained at the Jackson camp.