Comments on: UFC offers Lyoto Machida a fight with Tito Ortiz

By: wingtsun_Tim

wingtsun_Tim — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:00:47 +0000

“”On another note, even though Chuck is just rebounding from his loosing streak, I think he is the more likely candidate to be selected by the UFC for a title fight”"??

Machida should be the guy next inline for the tittle shot, he won his last 4 fights in UFC…who else in the LHW has won that many fight against all top name.

Dana! you know Rampage is no match for Machida, I mean didn’t you see how Dan Henderson landed so many punches on Jackson, that was a very close fight. The reason why Jackson won is because he was holding Dan down on ground but if you count who landed the most punches, I think Dan should of won.

Rampage you will lose buddy…
Forrest got luckly with sogun, Sogun ran out of juice in the second round.

By: pgamil

pgamil — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:12:29 +0000

machida will win hif he prepares serious cardio.

machida could get to that level cardio wise in a 3-4 very tough months.
but,
tito can’t acquire the skills to hang with machida in 3-4 months.

interesting fight though.

i predict machida will win, and get a better test from shogun or rampage. griffin would be a good test too, so machida is lucky to have to face a gnP tough wrestling guy like Tito to prepare for Rampage in particular

By: JacRabbit

JacRabbit — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:18:22 +0000

On another note, even though Chuck is just rebounding from his loosing streak, I think he is the more likely candidate to be selected by the UFC for a title fight.

By: JacRabbit

JacRabbit — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:16:34 +0000

I’m with klown on those great matchmaking concepts. I only disagree with the thought of Jardine being next in line. That KO by Huston in his UFC debut replays in my head everytime I hear Jardine’s name. As was said before, he just isnt that interesting to watch. Yes he will brawl, but from a marketing standpoint I dont think many people care when Jardine wins (in fact his loss to Huston was probably the most INTERESTING footage of Jardine yet)

Jardine’s victories over Forrest and Liddell were impressive, but I need to see more before I care to watch a title fight featuring Jardine.

By: klown

klown — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 03:51:29 +0000

There are 4 guys who should get a title shot if they beat 1 Top 5 fighter: Liddell, Machida, Jardine and Thiago Silva. I think Jardine is first in line, with his wins over Liddell and Griffin. I’d give him to Silva for an explosive striking war; winner fights the winner of Jackson/Griffin for the belt.

Liddell vs Machida is an awesome match-up. Can the technician dismantle the knock-out artist? Whoever wins will gain vast credibility. Leading to a fantastically hyped fight against the winner of Jackson/Griffin vs Jardine/Silva for the LHW title!

And I’m with Caplan on Ortiz vs Wanderlei Silva II. I think that has the potential to surpass Liddell vs Silva in both hype and content. It would just be a megafight.

As for Machida vs Ortiz – it makes NO SENSE! Say no, Tito!

By: Anton K

Anton K — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 22:09:06 +0000

Interesting… so, for Tito it comes down to W. Silva or L. Machida… after that, who else is there? Houston Alexander? Stephan Bonnar?

By: Sam Caplan

Sam Caplan — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 20:07:29 +0000

Anton, the rumor going around right now is Evans vs. Thiago Silva in the spring.

By: Anton K

Anton K — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 18:15:23 +0000

If Tito bails, the logical match is Machida v Evans. If Evans steps up, then Tito will look cowardly… he’ll be forced to fight the winner…

I don’t agree that people have forgotten about Jardine. For some reason, he’s just not all that interesting, even if he’s winning, but Machida v Jardine could also be a logical fight.

the Tito v Silva II idea is brilliant, but I think Tito needs a fight before Silva will be ready. I suppose the UFC can hold Tito off for a few months… but they should keep Machida fighting, keep him out there in the spotlight.

By: mike wolfe

mike wolfe — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:40:51 +0000

I get the sense that Tito is trying to move into venues ohter than fighting. His Hollywood hopes and Apprentice stint would seem to be a distraction to a serious fighter. If he could turn himself into an actor or media personality who didn’t depend on fighting, I’m not sure he’d be back in MMA. He’s good for marketing, but his recent fights have been so-so.

By: Sam Caplan

Sam Caplan — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:02:11 +0000

According to the quote, they are still waiting for Tito to accept. I have serious doubts that Ortiz will take a fight with Machida.

And if I was the UFC, I’d be pushing to make Ortiz vs. Wanderlei Silva II.

By: Sam Cupitt

Sam Cupitt — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:58:18 +0000

Shogun must be a little dissapointed … i think he was expecting to face Tito

By: hbdale309

hbdale309 — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 06:19:55 +0000

Tito is Machida’s kryptonite and Joe Silva/Dana know this. They are sacrificing the unmarketable Machida to the wildly popular Tito Ortiz. Tito by LnP at worst.

By: j.S. camp

j.S. camp — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 06:06:26 +0000

realistically, in the 205lb class, if ortiz rejects this fight…..then what match really makes sense? Already Griffin-Rampage is set. He won’t get Liddell as Dana will give Liddell the winner of Griffin/Rampage unless it is that unbelievable of a fight that a rematch is in everyone’s best interest for Griffin/Rampage II. An Evans rematch? Well I don’t think people really want to see that so what does that leave?
1) Bisping? He’s moving out of the weight class. And the UFC can’t kill off their “star” Englishman.
2) Houston Alexander/Keith Jardine? Who cares about Jardine at this point? I think the common fan could care less about Jardine even though he beat Liddell. it’s long forgotten….and Alexander is a BIG question mark as to his next fight regarding how the UFC is going to position and market him coming off his recent failures.
3) Wanderlei? Shogun? Sokodju? It’s a crowded division, but realistically, from a business stand point – these are the only guys it makes sense for him to fight to make a blockbuster match and Sokodju i think is a big big stretch to see him in the ring vs Ortiz. So realistically – why not take the Machida fight. BUT IF TITO LOSES……then what? WHat is the next step for Tito if he loses to Machida which would essentially put him (machida) in line for a title fight assuming no griffin/forrest rematch.

Will the UFC resign him? Of course. He’s worth his weight in gold from a marketing/sales standpoint as one of the most recognizable names in all of MMA. As Sam pointed out, there’s no way Tito leaves the UFC.

By: Sam Cupitt

Sam Cupitt — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 05:59:16 +0000

Should be interesting, I agree this is a very good matchup. I dont know aboot anyone else but the fact they offered Tito a fight that wasn’t Rashad might suggest Evans is moving to middleweight?

Anyway, if Tito does accept, It would be interesting to see if he can get close enough to Machida to take him down. I dont think he could… Machida by decision after dancing around and bitchslapping tito

By: mike wolfe

mike wolfe — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 05:24:05 +0000

Maybe Tito will have Jenna help him with this challenge, too.

By: Tanner

Tanner — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 04:22:45 +0000

I don’t think we’ll see Tito take the fight.

By: josh b

josh b — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 04:09:55 +0000

bad matchup for machita… ortiz by ground and pound stoppage 2nd round.

By: Dr J

Dr J — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 01:56:22 +0000

Would love to see Ortiz accept this fight, but my guess is that he won’t accept this fight unless he extends his contract.

By: jjdnb

jjdnb — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 01:39:26 +0000

bad match up for Machida

By: Evan

Evan — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 01:05:45 +0000

I wonder if the UFC will ever be brought up this season. I was surprised to not see the UFC logo on his gloves in the commercials.