he wont fight silva bro the train together

Is this like an April Fool’s joke or something???

Rashad landed about 5 strikes total in his fight with Machida. Quite frankly, I don’t think Shogun will touch Machida once. This is going to be Machida’s EASIEST win in quite some time in my opinion.

If you are going to actually land a punch on Machida, the opponent is going to need a good reach, quick hands and they MUST throw straight punches – which are much quicker than wide, looping punches. Hmmmmm, that latter part is Shogun to the tee. Its as if his body doesn’t allow him to throw a straight punch, they all must loop!

Shogun 4 years ago vs Machida 4 years ago, Shogun would be a considerable favorite. However, it is 2009 and I fully expect Machida to come into this fight at best -350 favorite, possible -450 come fight night. I’ll tell you this, I will be checking my betting sites every day once the fight is booked to jump on the initially posted odds.

The “Shogun Nuthugger” have kinda been in the woodwork since he came to the UFC, until he KO’d Chuck Liddell (the punch that KO’d Chuck wouldn’t have even KO’d your typical 155er). This fight is going to be waaaay more of a mismatch than Machida/Evans. When Machida fights, it appears as if there is a professional fighter in there fighting against and amateur. Machida is on a totally different level.

At least with Rampage’s super fast hands, explosive 1 punch KO power, and gret technhique, he has the opportunity to clip Machida with a 1 punck KO. However, Shogun is not a 1 punch KO artist, more of a barrage of strikes in a wicked combo (exceprt for feable Chucky)

andy vs. machida will never happen~

I think this is a better matchup than Rmapage would have been… Rampage is way too one dimensional (boxing). Machida would have picked him apart thte way Griffin did except way worse! Atleast Shogun is an all around fighter, but Machida will still win!!

ViolentMike,

Thank you for saving me the typing. Spot on. Machida is a lock and I will guarantee Shogun gets finished. In fact, I will be surprised if he makes it out of round one. Shogun hasn’t shown he’s top 5 in today’s UFC yet so the title shot is premature. He will pay for it.

so vm~

are u content with machida not defending?

come on man~ shogun is legit~

its not his fault he is the only option..

rampage and rashad are fighting~ get it?

i know u must still be devistated that rampage has now denied 2 title shots in a row..

i dont think any fighter has ever denied 2 title shots back to back.

rampage must have set a record..

I don’t think Rampage’s heart’s in it anymore! Why turn down another title shot to do a kids reality show??? Makes no sense. If he was that desperate to fight Evans he could have fought in July instead of making injury excuses. Clearly knows Machida would rape him!

RUANFIY — I know they train together, my friend, that’s why I said “I wanna see.” I realize the odds are long. But you never know.

The problem is that Rampage and even Forrest, Dan Henderson or RANDY COUTURE I would be happier with getting the title shot.

The last couple days there was speculation that Rampage would fight Machida, and then do TUF, but that was obviously just rumor.

And Forrest is booked to fight Anderson. Hendo is gunning for Silva at MW after giving The Count a manly beatdown. So, I guess Shogun is all they were really left with. Its just unforunate because he does not DESERVE the title shot. The problem is that no one else does either.

I’d have less of an issue if they brought in Gegard Moussasi to fight at LHW for the title, or Rafael Feijao, or Babalu, but of course, they all fight for different promotions. I think that the first two fighters named would tool Shogun, and Babalu already has a win over him.

ur really getting at shogun today mike~

u know all the fighters that would smash ol’ crappy slowgun, dont u?

LMSAO at all vms posts today~

downstairs vm was saying machida would have an easier time with shogun than he would with david heath~ lol

that one was a joke right?

why all the shogun hate?

Not an easier time, but it will be his easiest matchup SINCE David Heath!

I’m not sure why I got all the Shogun hate today. I loved him in PRIDE. I just can’t get the image of him getting choked out by Forrest and standing there COMPLETELY gassed against Coleman who couldnt even breath and he STILL had a tough time KO’ing him. That does not impress me the least bit.

Machida goes out and fights without taking any damage and hasn’t lost a single round in the octagon.

Chuck Liddell was a 2-1 favorite to defeat Shogun. Going by that, Machida got to be at least a 4-1 favorite. Anything better than that is easy, easy money in my eyes.

I don’t mean to be upsetting Shogun fans or anything, I’m just trying to keep it real – THIS FIGHT IS STYLISTICALLY A MISMATCH!!!!!!!! In every way, shape, and form. What does Shogun bring to the table that can defeat Machida? Or even touch his face once with his wild, telegraphed, looping punches??

(Sticky, please don’t take this as an attack or anything, I don’t like when people take comments personally, but I know I don’t need to say this to you because we’ve been bantering for years!) I look forward to your reply. * Also, I didn’t double check my post below, but if I didn’t say “since” I totally meant easiest matchup since the David Heath fight.

I don’t think Shogun has a very good chance here. But, I look at it as a good “tune up” match to get Machida comfortable defending his title. Rampage would be pretty overwhelming for any first time title defender.

VM, I don’t think the odds will be nearly that lopsided. They’re based on where bookies think the money will go, not necessarily an indication of which fighter is better than the other. A few pre-fight specials showing Shogun leaving a certain well-known American fighter dangling unconscious in the ropes in Japan will convince a lot of idiots that Shogun can clobber Machida.

PW, that is what I’m hoping for and I am going to be checking daily for odds!!!

BUT, remember Machida was a -220 favorite to beat the undefeated champion, so he HAS to be a bigger favorite to defend his belt against Shogun. I would be in love with anything -300 or better, but would still put money on Machida as a -600 favorite in this fight!

Hey VM: NOt for one second did this Shogun NUTHUGGER hide in the woodworks. I been out here on the front lines supporting my dog and getting slandered by 90% of this site the entire time! We arent all bandwagon fans around here!

YOU guys only talk about the stand up aspect of the Machida/Shogun match up. Yes the advantage will go to Machida.
But what about the other aspects. I dont think anyone in the UFC is going to beat Shogun in the clinch and on the ground, I honestly believe that Shogun is the best ground fighter in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. THis isnt K-1 guys. Shogun has AMAZING stand up, but Machida is light years ahead of everyone in that department. HOwever the clinch and Ground game are 2 aspects of the fight that Shogun is capable of winning!

Machida will Rightfully be the favorite. But October is a long time away, and its plenty of time for shogun to get into 5 round shape. If he can go hard for 25 minutes…he will have more of a shot than ANYONE to take the DRagons title! Of course all bets are out the window if he gets hurt again during training. EVERYTHING has to go right in his training camp from NOW until October to be competitive against Machida~!

first of all VM, Rampage’s hands arn’t as quick as Rashad’s.. so your point about his quick hands is not a valid or good one. His one punch ko power is a major plus BUT his extremely one dimensional style as of late will be his downfall. I see him getting picked apart. Shogun(2005 in-shape) would be a much more well rounded and dangerous fighter.

Shogun might not be the #1 contender.. But look at it this way.. Rampage beat MARVIN EASTMEN to get a title shot… At least Shogun managed a win against a top 10 fighter(I know liddell’s career is coming to an end but he is still low on the top 10 list for most places). Eastmen would be lucky to make a top 30.

i never hid my love for shogun and vm you are dead wrong on this being more of a mismatch than rashad machida, you will eat your words.i don’t know if shogun can beat machida but he will give him a better fight than rashad.

i’m not sure he deserves a shot but its better that holding the title up until rampage/evans fight

i think machida will win but i think shogun poses more of a threat than rampage

John, you know I’d never accuse you of jumping ship for any of your fighters, just like I won’t for mine!!!!!

But do you really see Shogun getting Machida to the ground? I don’t. I made a post more specific towards takedowns further down in this thead. For the sake of double posting, I won’t copy and paste or anything. It is below though.

Basically, Shogun does not have explosive takedowns where he catches people by surprise, he clinches and trips. Machida will not fall for that (lol, litterally I just realized!). Shogun has a nasty Muai Thai clinch – NO DOUBT. BUT, he needs to get inside of Machida to make that happen. I don’t know. TRUST THIS THOUGH. If Machida loses I will be on this site the next day making my appologies.

Are Rashad’s hands THAT much faster than Rampage’s????

lol fuck machida, fuck shogun, fuck rashad, fuck brazilians, fuck nuthuggers(no1 with respect calls themself a nuthugger)…lmao and fuck affliction :D

I have guys I’m a fan of and then there’s who I think will win…..I never confuse the two. I see no problem with being a commited fan. It’s only a problem when it deludes thinking.

You can’t blame Shogun for taking the shot, but statistically he is a huge underdog.

NINJA MACHIDA WILL WIN THIS FIGHT I HAVE NO PROBLEM SAYING THAT MACHIDA KARATE IS NOTHING TO PLAY WITH SORRY NINJA RUA

MACHIDA KARATE WINS VIA ANY WAY

Say what you want john, if ANYONE other than Machida had the belt right now, Rampage would be all over a title shot.

He knows he can’t beat Machida so he’s taking a more circuitous route to the title.

I know damned well that if it any other fighter other than your Rampage was bitching out of a title opportunity like this you’d be ALL over them right now!

You’re totally unobjective when it come to your Pride mancrushes john, and it’s hilarious. Rampage is always going on about how he wants the belt back and to avenge his old losses. This achieves neither. I’m supposed to believe a pre-arranged staredown with Rashad after the 96 main event got Rampage all angry? What a joke. Rampage wants nothing to do with Machida. Period.

You say Forest sucks but he never turns down a fight, you accuse other guys of not being REAL fighters because they duck guys… but as usual, Rampage can do no wrong.

And that’s REAL TALK, bitch!

;-)

Jermey…do I want Rampage to fight Machida for the title? ABSOLUTLEY. But in nO WAY do I think Rampage is afraid of any fighter that he will ever face…and its just not Rampage. I honestly dontt hink fighters are afraid of their opponents for the most part. If they were they would go in there and get killed.

YOU are so wrong about Rampage that you sound silly! He has never been overly ambitious when it comes to titles. Look back at the marvin Eastmen fight. He beat Marvin, they tried to give him a title shot, and he said he would rather take a few more tune up fight….Do you really think he was afraid of Liddell, who he had DOMINATED a few years back? Hell nO! UFC then told him to fight Chuck, so he knocked his ass out!

prior to the Machida fight, Rampage was the #1 contender and getting the 1st crack at shad. Rampage was asked about it and he said he would like Revenge on forrest 1st, title shot later. you Haters all said he was afraid of Rashad at the time and now he is fighting Shad.

YOU are calling him scared of Machida, yet there is no Doubt in my mind that they will fight no later then Febuary 2008.

What the hell is biased about my post? I simply said I dont think fighters are afraid of their opponents, especially not Rampage. Only an idiot or troll would say otherwise. I like your mma knowledge so I wont call you an idiot, so I guess today yo are playing the role of the troll! lol

VM: Shogun does not have explosive takedowns..I will admit that. Like you said its more based off of ju jitsu trips. Thing is that his takedowns are under rated. We never think he will be able to get his opponents down when analyzing his fights on paper (myself included)…yet he always ends up taking down his opponents.

Shogun is a very crafty guy. I PROMISE you all that he will make it a much more interesting fight then Rashad did. I have a feeling Shogun is going to surprise a lot of you and give Machida hell. Im not saying he will beat Machida, because I doubt I will ever feel confidant picking against him…but I do feel that it will be an all out WAR that will take place everywhere: Standing, Clinch on the Ground. In my eyes Machida is the favorite, but an in shape Shogun presents Machida more problems then anyone else in the division, including Rampage.

I am such a big fan of both these fighters and I really hate to see either lose, so I wont be making any predictions for this fight. Since this site is filled with bandwagon fans, everyone will be picking Machida anyway….so whats the point.
I always felt that Rampage/Shogun/Machida were the top fighters at 205…so either way I will be left with a champion who’s skills and fighting spirit I really admire.

Lets face it, not a lot of people want to fight Machida. Of Course that will change now that he has the title…but Shogun always said he was willing to fight Machida even when he didnt have the belt. shogun is a chuck Liddell type fighter that was ALWAYS willing to step up and fight anyone he was told with the exception of wanderlie and he should be respected for it!

YOu guys need to stop bitching about this match up and enjoy a 5 round fight between 2 of the most skilled and well rounded fighters in the lightweight division. Shogun and Rampage are the only fighters with an even remote chance of giving Machida a fight…after that it wont even be interesting because he will outclass everyone else by too much. So you guys need to enjoy this match up.

You don’t have to use the word scared if it offends your delicate sensibilities john, call it what you want…

Rampage doesn’t want to fight Machida on the big stage right now, because he knows he isn’t ready for him. Rampage is displaying a pattern the last year or so of being less than enthusiastic about fighting the top guys. I’m not disputing what a warrior he has been, but I question his desire and commitment to really be on top again.

There is no logical reason for him to duck Machida if he thought he could beat him… not one. Anyone who would argue that is a delusional nuthugging troll who should avoid posting while stoned (so only before 9am).

there are factors that people like us are not privy to Jermey. Its not all black n white the way you are making it out to be. I have a big feeling that FINANCES are playing a dominant role in Rampage’s decisions. He was always about the money. He isnt champion anymore, thus he makes less money. I am pretty sure that monetarily he has more to gain from doing TUF and then fighting Rashad, especially since SPIKE TV was very adamant about wanting him as the next coach. I am positive that he got a very nice offer!

Point is, Rampage has been accused of being scared of Chuck, Rashad and Machida since entering the UFC. Maybe you dont like the time frame in which he fought these guys, but he has fought Chuck, will NOW fight Rashad, and then fight Machida or Shogun, no later then 2009.

He is was always itching to fight guys like Wanderlei and Shogun who he suffered some of the worst beatings in the sports history….yet you expect me to believe that he is afraid of a point Karate fighter? NOt taking anything away from Machida…but from a brutality point of view….I would be a lot more afraid of facing wanderlie and Shogun then I would be of facing Machida….yet Machida is better then all of them…but not as brutal as the chute box kats!

I dont think fighters are afraid of their opponents. Simple as that! UFC could have gotten Rampage to fight Machida if they really wanted to….all it takes is more money!

but hey, you can hate all you want. Have fun with it! All I know that I will get to see Rampage fight Rashad and Machida i consecutive fights without the title being held up for TUF….not really much to bitch about from my point of view. BUt Hey, to ecah his own! I just was surprised to hear this from you JJ…I thought you were better than that!

See, look john!

You CAN post like a man! I actually read that entire post without shaking my head in disgust and scrolling down.

Well done! :-)

As for thinking “I was better than that”, not quite sure what you mean. I am a big Rampage fan, but I won’t blindly support a guy when it is obvious his motivations are other than what you and he maintain. I guess you value someone agreeing with your take on a subject over someone expressing their opinion concisely.

I’m just a little disappointed with Rampage right now, and if it IS only about the money (and I don’t think it is, because he’d make a hell of a lot as champion over a seemingly invincible opponent int he deepest division in MMA) then I am every bit as disappointed in him as I would have been if he was worried about Machida.

I believe that both the UFC and Rampage do not want him to fight Machida.This way they get to build some hype up for the fight and it does not kill the marketability of Rampage ,how marketable is he really going to be after he gets destroyed by Machida,plus how would he handle it mentally if he gets beat like Rashad did.We all remember how well he handled the last loss.

I think the UFC definitely wanted Machida/Rampage to happen now. Dana stated that was the fight he wanted next since UFC 96, and it is the fight that makes sense from a business standpoint.

If Rampage loses to Rashad then we have a very unmarketable rematch situation. I think Rampage can beat Rashad, but given his performances against Jardine and Forest it is far from a lock.

I talked about this situation last night on a different story.They can say what they want ,but UFC is about to lose Chuck,they seem to be out of the Tito business,Randy is old ,basically long story short,they are running out of big PPV draws,they just may lose another after Machida destroys Rampage,they need time to build up another name to replace him just in case,plus the longer they stretch this out the more anticipation there is for the fight.

john, you mentioned that he wouldn’t be afraid of a “point karate fighter?”

Tell that to Rashad, who got KO’ed in the second goddamn round :D Machida’s not known for his knockout power, but if you’ve actually watched his last two matches, there’s no conceivable way you could simply dismiss him as the point fighter he was. It’s not a matter of brutality.

Great Post guys. TROLLS on this site will complain about everything.Not only is the title NOT being held up for a silly reality show, but we are actually left with 2 better match ups.

If Shogun has the cardio to fight for 5 rounds, this will be the best possible title fight in the 205 lbs division. Rampage vs. Machida being 2nd best. If Shogun is in shape, he will pose a lot of problems for Machida. What more do you guys want out of a title fight? THis match up is fabulous because it will be very competitive both standing and on the ground. Standing I give a slight edge to Machida. On the ground I give a slight edge to Shogun….this fight is very interesting.

I thought the 2 match ups that we were going to be left with were:
Machida vs. Rampage and Shogun vs. Rashad. From an excitement point of view, I think Shogun vs. Machida and Rashad vs. Rampage are 2 more interesting match ups!

Stop bitching!!!

Whooo this couldn’t have gone any better. The UFC is finally doing things right and I don’t care what anyone else thinks! we now have some of the greatest fights at LHW that we can imagine…

Forrest Anderson
Franklin Wandi
Rashad Rampage
Lyoto Rua

Then after that we have
rampage lyoto
franklin rua/rashad
anderson rashad/wandi
forrest wandi /rashad

btw if anyone is going to rule the LHW throne for more than a fight it would only be Lyoto/Rua/Page. so having these three fight now instead of later will save us some time and title switching in the future.

LMAO how the hell is Shogun gonna go 5 rounds in a title fight?? He was out on his feet after 7 minutes against Coleman.

How we all laughed the other day at the thought of Coleman getting a title shot, but is it really so unrealistic now? Griffin got one after beating Sickdog and a 10% fit Shogun, and now Shogun gets one by labouring to an awful victory over Coleman and a washed up Chuck Liddell.

Shogun really should have had another fight before Machida against Jardine or Vera or somebody, I just don’t think he’s ready yet, too many unanswered questions still.

Good post John. Definately two better matchups. Rampage – Rashad mini beef settled and a more competitive LHW title fight IMO.

Cogito: I am REEEAAAALLLY happy too. These to me and some of the potential future matchups are the best the UFC LHW division has EVER seen.

Cant wait for late 2009 – early 2010. Siiick!

While I do want to see Page vs Rashad I’m not looking forward to the made up drama their going to put on in TUF. “He beat my friend/training partner, I have to make him pay”. “He jumped into the cage after my fight and got in my face”. Right.. That angle is going to be so lame. I am however looking forward to seeing that fight.

Agreed odamn.

Odamn def agree. All this drama of building up a fight is pretty lame. Right afterwards all the anymosity is gone and they act like everything is good. It kind of makes the sport looke like some WWE drama which I’m sick of seeing. I just want to see the fighters fight and talk some prefight trash.

I have not watched TUF in quite some time. I can’t stand “The Real World” type of drama. I do watch the finale. I wish the show would go away and have some kind tournament instead ,without all the drama.

Thats right O damn. They know the casual fan gets behind this reason to want to see certain people fight each other. I only really meant it cos thats how they were building it up. As you rightly pointed out it will also escalate as the season 10 goes on too.

Most people who follow the UFC closely knows the commitments to press related events and autograph sigings etc these guys have to attend together. If there was any real beef they would not be able to contain themselves.

Gone are the days of the big beefs between fighter/camps/countries which IMO is a good thing as what it all boils down to is its just another fight between two people and when the cage door closes the only person who comes out with his hand raised is the better man usually.

JOHN IS BURNING!!!!!!!

YOu know what Chaps my a$$? All you silly trolls talking about how Rampage is afraid of Machida. I promise you that RAMPAGE isnt afraid of any man on EARTH. He is a BORN Fighter who happens to have some world class skills. I doubt that many top fighters are actually afraid of their competition. YOU have to have a confidence and some what of an ego to be a successful fighter. If your mentality isn’t “I CAN BEAT ANY MAN ALIVE”, you have nO CHANCE as a FIGHTER!!!!

THe same trolls who are saying Rampage is scared, are the same idiots that idiotically accused Rampage of being afraid to fight Rashad when Rampage said he would rather get REVENGE on Forrest 1st, instead of fighting Shad for the title. NOw Rampage is itching to get his hands on Rashad and you guys are NOW accusing him of being afraid of Machida. GIVE ME A BREAK with all this CRAP!!!!!

What you guys dont understand about Rampage is that TItles and Legacy take a back seat to MONEY and his RAW DESIRE to beat the crap out of certain individuals that piss him off!
He would much rather get his hands on someone that has beaten him, or that he doesnt like then to fight some guy for a title that he has no beef with, unless the MONEY is AMAZING.

Spike TV was really adamant about wanting Rampage vs. Rashad as the next season’s coaches, and I think he got an enticing monetary offer to become this season’s coach. Combine that with his desire to Knock Rashad the FOCK out….he chose to whoop on Rashad before getting a title shot.

Rampage is easily one of the top 3 LHW’s in the world. combine that with his great personality and his pOPULARITY…he knows he will NEVER be that far away from a title shot…so no need to Rush it! If the money is better and their is beef or Revenmge that he wants to deal with 1st, I have no problem with him declining a title shot.

I have ZERO doubts that Rampage will beat Rashad so a fight against Machida isnt that far away anyway! Worst case scenario, Shogun beats Machida, then we are still left with a MEGA TITLE fight between Shogun and Rampage. Rampage and Machida will fight NO LATER then Febuary of 2010. If they would have coached against each other on the reality show, they probably wouldntr have fought until December….so why bitch at 2 more months, when we get to see both Machida and Rampage fight in the meantime?

Or Rampage looks awful again following a long lay off and gets beaten by Rashad just like Forrest did to him, then where does that leave him??? If he was so desperate to get his hands on Rashad he could have done it at UFC 100 instead of claiming injuries. The facts are he’s scared to death of another Brazilian giving him a good old fashioned beating, AGAIN!

u are an idiot! He wasnt afraid to fight Wandy after suffering 2 of the worst beatings ever seen in the entire sport. He is dying to fight Shogun again, who ANNIHILATED him, but you think he is afraid of fighting a mostly POINT fighter. I think Machida is the greatest light heavyweight fighter on earth. But he isnt known for inflicting BRUTAL Damage. Rampage might easly lose to Machida, but its not going to hurt worst then what Wanderlei and shogun did to him.

Saying Rampage is afraid of any man at LHW is JUST STUPID! I dont like to insult people but Im calling a spade a spade. YOU say DUMB Sh*t, then why should you not be called DUMB? I try not to insult people for their opinions on how a fight will play out, but when you start saying dumb, senseless crap like saying fighters are scared or that fighters are juicing without having proof….YOu are going to get called out for it!

that all may be true John, but Rampage hasn’t looked all that impressive in a while!
I like him and don’t really care for Rashad, but I think Rashad has a great shot at winning that fight!

I have to side with john here. I sincerely doubt that Page is afraid of anybody. I suspect it was a boat load of $$$ that made his decision to do TUF again.

What makes you so right John all the time??? Nothing! Go back to class and learn not to get so emotional when someone doesn’t share your point of view. If you have to resort to name calling and writing ALL IN CAPITALS, you’ve lost the argument!

Machida’s not renowned for doing brutal damage?? Did you see Rashad collapse to the Canvas or the state of Ortiz’s face the day after?

As for rampage being scared, I stand by that! Some fighters like eating punches for breakfast (forrest for example) but never has Rampage fell into that category for me. He was a beaten man the moment he set foot in the ring against Silva the second time, you could see it in his whole demeanour. The only reason he agreed to the third fight is Coz he knew Wandy was washed up.

Im not getting emotional at all. Im just picking apart your entire post. Big differene buddy. Im sitting here typing with a blunt in my mouth…..HOw pissed could I possibly be? lol

If I knew what a blunt was I might join in your laughter? I’m from England, the term aint familiar to me, I presuming it’s a weed reference???

it’s not a penis reference!

Sure sounds emotional to me john… name calling and what not. maybe you shoudl get off Rampage’s nuts long enough to look at things without bias! Rampage has now refused 2 title fights in a row!!!! This is the man you are calling a born fighter. Doesn’t sound liek it to me. Sounds like he is picking and choosing the best opponents for him and his paycheck.

Well said caesar, I’ve made a similar point myself further down!

Lol kevin

Its a spliff over there.

John, you will get zero argument from me regarding Rampage fearing people. Rampage fear NO ONE!!!!!!!!! He would be one of if not the first LHW that would want to take on Fedor givin the opportunity (no proof, just saying). If Rampage was scared of anyone, it would be Wanderlei and Shogun. And he fought Wandi a 3rd time after two of the most vicious KO’s in MMA history.

John, if Rampage and Shogun were to fight in a few months, both healthy, who you got as the favorite?

John, I agree completely with you and would’ve wrote the same post although I chose to same my breath from these idiots. My question is, where are you getting this “the LATEST Rampage will fight Machida is February?” Because unless I’m wrong, Rampage/Rashad won’t go down until December and then a normal camp, clear injuries etc… I don’t see it happening until at least April of 2010 which is ridiculous. I don’t want to be sitting around waiting 11 months for my favorite fighter to fight for the belt again! Damn right I’m pissed off at Rampage. It’s not like he couldn’t whoop Machida’s ass and figure he’d get to settle his score with Evans and/or Shogun next! WTF Rampage, WTF!

First of all you all have to look at how dumb it would have been for Rampage to sign onto TUF and then fight Machida as soon as TUF season started… He would not get any adequate training at all for someone who is considered the hardest fighter to come up with a game plan against. Not only that if Rampage loses to Machida his fight with Rashad means a lot less than it would if Rashad and Page fought first. This is seriously common sense and you are all quickly pointing fingers in the wrong direction. Sit down and think about things before you rant.

I been arguin further down about this but I’ll throw in my 2 cents up here anyway; Page ain’t afraid of sh And how can you knock the guy just cause he didn’t go straight to a title shot? He’s fighting top LHW’s and WINNING, when he’s finished with Rashad there will be no doubt in anyones mind that he is the most deserving fighter at LHW for a title fight against the new champ Shogun Rua!

O damn, I think you’d better return the weed you bought last weekend.

I think it may be crack.

John-

Calling established posters on this site “trolls” because their perfectly logical opinions differ form your own makes you seem juvenile and immature.

If I were new to this site and reading this thread, I would swiftly come to the conclusion that you are the troll here.

You have some great great insights and MMA knowledge… don’t ruin that be being a little assbag. This site is for debate and discussion, and I for one won’t tolerate your retarded tantrums diluting my enjoyment of this site any longer.

Keep it up and be destroyed. Not a threat… just a promise.

calling anything you post logical is a bit of a stretch…

Actually, I was referring to VM and attakdog. But I wouldn’t expect an insignificant little cretin like yourself to understand that. Don’t try to make a name off of me. I have bigger fish to fry.

JJ: YO are one of my favorite people on this site to debate with. I really enjoy your knowledge of the sport. Appologize if I come off as being in attack mode…Its just the way I talk. I call my friends Idiots, trolls and dumbasses about 20 time a day….Not really meant to attack someone, thats just how I basically say that I dont agree with your opinion. I guess I need to be careful what I write since you guys dont know me personally or how I talk. Also, sometimes sarcasm doesnt transfer well when you are typing. My Sincerest Appologies…If I slip up and do it in the future, keep in mind its just how I talk and basically my way of saying that I dont agree with what you are saying. I dont mean it as an insult at all!

Sorry again, but I prefer listening you to talk about tangible aspects of the sport JJ. I dont like hearing baseless claims like a Fighter is scared, or a certain fighter is on Roids. No excuses though…my Appologies!

I think you meant to put an S in front of your name rather than an R. Jardine would get schooled by Lyoto.

I’m just saying that Machida will be a problem for anyone on that list with a conventional fighting style. Jardine is definetly not conventional so it would be an interesting fight???

Interesting for sure and Jardine would have a punchers chance but I think charging straight into Lyoto might have its costs as well.

Jardine is way too slow to give Machida trouble. BUt I like Jardine and at least I will give him a “Kickers chance” lol

‘kickers chance’

lmsao~

I think if anyone could give Machida some problems it could be Vera if he can put on a winning streak.He looked sharp in his last fight (ok he fought a can).He has the reach,speed and can throw straight punches.He can also take punches from the HW’s.If he got focused I think that would be an interesting fight.If it went to the ground though Vera is finished.

If Shogun can beat Machida and Rampage beats Rashad it sets up a rematch and Rampage is always talking about wanting to beat all the fighters that beat him in the past.

Vera needs to win a few fights first. I like the guy and hope he gets his crap together to make a title run, but right now he’s barely cracking the UFC top 10, if he’s in there at all.

Jardine with a “kickers chance” = LOL, nice one John!

no way is Cane one fight from the title… probably more like 3

I’d say 2 fights. He needs to beat someone with a name in his next fight (preferably with a fantastic finish), and if the top of the division can’t string together 2 straight wins, they may need to put Luiz in a #1 contender match at that point.

But his next match can NOT be a #1 contender match with the current status of the division.

But when was the last time the UFC had an official #1 contender match??? Its more like pull a name out of a hat and you get a title shot nowadays.

so barely beating Mark Coleman and KO’ing someone everyone is KO’ing earns you a shot now? Rampage, get your head out of your ass and fight…that said, Rashad beats page, machida beats shogun and where right back where we started. Dana better be ready to back up the brinks truck to get Machida/Silva signed!

You’re right dtoto. Rampage could have went for the title against Machida then I’m sure Rashad would have been next in line and got his grudge settled.

Who’s “La Cheetah” now Rampage?

I find it interesting that in a division as supposedly stacked as the UFC’s LHW, the entire list of potential challengers to Machida all seem to have flaws at present. I agree that with Rampage unavailable, Shogun makes the most sense, mostly by default. That said, I have a problem with having to preface the chances of any contender in a title fight with a statement like…..“if he comes into the fight in shape.” Are you kidding me!!! Call me old school but I expect a fighter’s ability to enter a fight physically prepared to be proven and a given before any title shot is granted.

Great post, CL.

Tell Rampage not to be such a pussy and fight him???

GREAT CALL >>> Rampage is dodging him ..Great fight…everyone stop complaining

Yea right; Rampage is going where the $$$‘s at, he’s gonna get paid a huge chunk of change + free vehicle for doing TUF, then he’ll cash in on a fight with Evans, THEN he’ll cash in on a fight with Machida. This has nothing to do with being a pussy or being afraid, Page isn’t afraid of sh!t, I’ll guarantee that. It’s all about the $$$$$$

Page is dodging him odamn, no doubt about that! He’s hoping someone else can get the job done for him in the mean time, so he doesn’t have to suffer the indignity of crying his eyes out again when another Brazilian knees him in the head repeatedly. He can’t be that short of money can he that he has to do a 12year old kids reality show??? I’m sure Dana would have seen he didn’t go hungry if he took on Machida?

Sure he could have taken the title fight; but TUF is a lot of $$$, I guarantee that, and he’ll be making cash without even lifting a finger; it’s practically FREE MONEY for the coach’s, they don’t fight on the show all they gotta do is show up at the gym for the camera. What do people with lots of money want? MORE MONEY! Thats Rampage to a T. Rampage is not afraid of Machida, personally I find Socko the sock puppet more intimidating!

I thought he was supposed to be a fighter??? Wild horses wouldn’t keep me away from the Octagon if I was offered a title shot, especially if the alternative was doing a dated and tired kids reality show for just a few bucks more!

Hopefully Dana gives Rampage a nice, small Prius or something that can’t do much damage on the freeway.

I didn’t think they really payed all that much to do TUF. Isn’t that one of the reasons Rich Franklin wasn’t too thrilled with the idea?

lol

I don’t think Rich likes the idea of having the Camera on him for an extended period of time; he came off bad last time he was on TUF the comeback as a trainer. That was an awesome season btw, the best one ever imo, those guys had Chuck, Rich, Hughes, all kinds of bad @ss’s to train with.

How about we look at the last several title shots in the UFC’s LHW div… Tito beat Ken Shamrock to face Chuck… Rampage beat Marvin Eastman to face chuck… Hendo hadn’t fought anyone in the UFC for almost a decade… Forrst beat Hector Ramirez and Shogun… Rashad beat Liddell… and Lyoto was pretty clearly the number one contender… I dont think its too out of the realm to give Shogun the shot… It will at least be exciting

I guess what i’m trying to say is that Machida’s the only one in there who’s really been deserving of a title shot… Yet non of those fights have failed to excite…

Thats a point of debate; I personally found a lot of Machida fights boring; it’s only his last two that I semi enjoyed, and I’m sure I would have really enjoyed them had I not been rooting for the other guy. With that said, in regards to Machida:

WAR OTHER GUY!

I guess Rampage needs bigger rims, more Jesus bling and fur coats for his entourage of peons and whores.

Lol double J

hahahaha

I wouldn’t be so sure caesar. A hungry, focused healthy Shogun is extremely dangerous and very well rounded.

If I was gonna lean towards anyone I would say Machida too but I would not be in the least bit surprised if Shogun stomped him either.

When is that last time we saw a " hungry, focused healthy Shogun is extremely dangerous and very well rounded"?

In JAPAN

exactly VM, and stomps aren’t allowed in the UFC (kidding). You are right Ca$z, a focused healthy Shogun is tough, the promblem is we haven’t seen that Shogun in a couple years and I don’t expect this fight to be different!

A healthy, focused Shogun = jab, squirt, squirt is all I could say.

you guys are so dumb! Shogun is the greatest ground fighter in the UFC’s Light heavyweight division…and a MONSTER in the clinch. This isnt a k-1 fight, and Shogun is capable of taking anyone to the ground at 205 lbs…and I dont care how great your Jits is, you dont want to be on the ground against Shogun. FACT!!!!

Combine that with his Brutal CLINCH game, and Shogun has the ability to pose more problems for Machida then many of you seem to think.

Only question is will he remain injury free, which will determine if he can go hard for 5 rounds or not! October is a long ways away and plenty of time to get into 5 round shape!

This is GOING to be an AMAZING fight!

I posted awhile back :

2 biggest threats to Machida -

Shogun and A. Silva

There are only a couple apects of Shogun’s ground game that I can recall in the UFC, where he faces fighters that actually train WRESTLING (unlike Japan back in the day).

My two memories of Shogun’s ground game in the UFC is getting GnP’d by Forrest and RnC’d by Forrest, who is NOT known for his ground game.

Damien Maia can eat 3 cheeseburgers and easily be the best BJJ artist in the LHW division. There just aren’t that many grapplers in the LHW division when you think about it, at least not near the top of the division.

The LHW division is a division of brawlers. Which is why Machida will rule it indefinitely.

TRUTH (tm – OJR)

VM-

LOL.

Thats fine if you dont wanna see it dont buy the PPV. I can guarantee you will be in the minority.

All the things people have been doubting about Shogun will not be a factor soon enough. We all know why he has had a tough time getting back to his devastating best so I’m not gonna go on about it.

I am sure everyone will see a different Shogun in this fight and whether he wins or loses will give Machida the best fight for his title for years to come until someone can crack the Machida riddle.

JB do you know anything about Shogun? Your basing all of your knowledge off of his fights in the UFC. I think you’ll be surprised when Shogun fights Lyoto, he’s no slouch. Go look up a few of his fights and you’ll see why your one of five people who is not excited for this fight.

OK, using that same logic, look at some Chuck Liddell fights from 2-5 years ago. Chuck is not the same today as he was back then, and SHogun is not the same as he was back then. In MMA what you did 5 years ago in a country that didn’t have any drug testing is almost completely irrelevant today.

I see your points VM, I’m just saying give him his one offs. The guy was fighting through an injury against Forrest and he’s getting himself back to where he needs to be. I agree that they are giving him a title fight early but the man is a very seasoned veteran and its not like they are throwing him to the wolves. He has the skill set to mix it up with Machida and provide a real challenge, he just needs to put the work in at the gym. This was one of the better ways the UFC could have went, they could have fed Machida a B level fighter for his first defense or they could have side tracked him but instead they put a name up where its a win win. Machida gets a geniune name under his win category or Rua of Pride shows up and takes the title from a surprised Machida. If Rua loses he goes back to the drawing board, its not like he has to retire.

JB, you are way off! I’ll take Shogun against any of those fighters you mentioned… Silva, Cane and Hammill? I agree that he isn’t a legit #1 contender, but the real #1 contender keeps refusing to fight for the title (Rampage twice now)

VM: Shogun is still young and getting back to shape. This is the chance for him to prove himself to the world and I believe he is very capable of doing that.

I am not so quick to right him off as some of you guys and beleive he has many more years left in him. He is still only 27 ffs!! He has took very little punishment in his fights over the years and will be back on top form as time goes by. The same can definately not be said for Chuck.

We all have our favourites and I will be defending shogun until he proves that he is no longer able to compete at the top levels then I will be asking for his retirement like anyone else. I just don’t beleive that is the case by a long shot.

WAR SHOGUN!!!

Ca$z, make no mistake, I’m not writing off Shogun’s career, I am simly writing off his chances in a fight against Machida.

I would always write off the rumors that surrounded Chute Box, PRIDE, performance enhancing drugs, and no drug testing.

BUT after seeing alot of their performances outside of Japan, it really makes me wonder. I won’t accuse, but there is definitely some smoke, and where there is smoke, that is usually fire… (in a very non accusing way)

NO VIOLENTMIKE. Comparing LIddells fights from 2-5 years ago and Shogun’s from 2005 are apples and Oranges. Chuck Liddell simply got OLD. Shogun is 27 years old and hasnt even reached his fighting prime yet. HIs performances were due to injuries. THere is a HUGE difference, which is..Liddell is DONE. if Shogun stays Healthy he can become even greater then he ever was….and thats SCARY!!!!

VM makes some excellent points based on the assumption that Shogun is still overcoming injuries / building back up to optimum fighting shape.

IF the Shogun of old comes in to face Machida I see problems for Machida.

We haven’t seen Machida deal with a jits wiz trying to slap on subs.

Assuming Shogun does not gas I see Machida defending his title in a baptism by fire.

Great fight, no complaints here.

i have respect for shogun he the only fighter who steps up to fight machida, rampage didnt! forest is fighting A.silva and their isnt a many more GOOD fighters in the LHW devision, Apart from Jon Jones he looks good.

JB, I see Machida opening as a -350 favorite in this fight.

Just look at each of their last 3 fights. One fighter has looked like the most impressive fighter in UFC history excluding the Anderson Silva “of old”, and Shogun, well, has kinda looked like a JOKE. He lost to Forrest, he crept by Coleman (if Coleman was just a couple years younger he would have KO’d SHogun), and then he KO’d fragile Chuck.

Sounds good!!! And I gotta be sure Machida got a frige full of his urine!!

LMAO, Jones after beating bonnar? Bonnar gets you a title shot? Brandon Vera?? And you say Shogun’s looked like Sh!t? Luiz Cane gets a title shot for beating Steve Cantwell?? Wow, talk about an opinion with absolutley no THOUGHT behind it.

Forget it O damn….you’re wasting your time.

Cane, Jones, Vera, this guy clearly hasn’t got a clue.

So what do you think then John??

Machida or Shogun if they both come in in top condition?

I think a lot of people (myself included) are still a little bit wowed by Machida’s performance and think he will take Shogun out too but a fit focused Shogun could take it it very easily too IMO.

I’m still on the fence with this one for the time being as I love to watch both these guys perform and don’t wanna see either one lose but that will change the more this sinks in and after I have properly visualised how the fight could go down.

Don’t worry I have seen you post above.

Shogun if he’s 100% can definatley take this fight. Sic jits, good striking, I can see Machida getting subbed if things go Shoguns way.

LOL, how is Shogun going to take Machida down? Rashad and Tito couldnt do it. Shogun will not get close enough to clinch and do his little trippy thing. And if he does clinch, Machida will man handle him and toss him to the ground like he did to Tito who is physically stronger than Shogun.

Every Machida fight has been easy money. This could be easiest since he fought David Heath.

dang mike~

im not even going to read ur posts today bro~

u must be high..

u should know that when a someone says fighting shogun is easier then fighting heath.. they are either~

a~ retarded

b~ david heath himself

c~ or not the smartest peanut in the turd..

u usually know what ur talking about~ but today u sound stupid.

say word~

VM you act like Tito Ortiz set up his shots (which he didn’t they were all sloppy TD attempts from the outside) and you act like Rashad was actually trying to take him down (which he wasn’t he was waiting on Machida to come to him). I don’t see where all the nut hugging on Machida comes from, he’s not that great imo and he won’t hold the belt and dominate like GSP or A. Silva, he’ll be giving up the belt inside of 2-3 fights TOPS.

Rashad and Tito tried NOTHING!!! Shogun…win or lose will try to WIN this fight. Machida could take it but I definately think Shogun can as well.

Although I do see Machida possibly being a very dominating champion I think VM is definately HIGH on something today.

Maybe Mike has started getting high drinking his own piss?!?? lol

Oh and stinky…..WORD!!

Did you ever see a Shogun takedown attempt?? They are laugable.

Stinky – Easiest fight SINCE David Heath.

Machida will hold the belt for a looong time in my eyes. A 1 punch KO is the ONLY way I see Machida losing, simply becasuse he isn’t all that used to gettin hit in fights. I mean, everyone is having a hard time coming up with a #1 contender. Machida was clear cut #1 contender for sometime. He is head and shoulders above the rest of the LHW division like Silva is to the MW division and Fedor is to the HW division.

Also, Machida will be a much more dominant champ than GSP. Losing the strap to Matt Serra is the equivalent to Machida losing his belt to “David Heath” BTW, I think Heath should have won the decision against The Galdiator Travis Galbraith at the last MFC

LOL at the smartest peanut in the turd.

I heard Superman was free???