Battle of Stalingrad? Or game of cat and mouse?
Only one of those scenarios is likely to get Lyoto Machida into the fifth and final round of the main event at UFC 140, where he challenges reigning division champion Jon Jones for the 205-pound strap on Dec. 10 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
"The Dragon" tells Sherdog.com he knows what it takes to win:
"It's hard to say what the perfect style is to stop Jones. I have a lot of trust in my skills against any fighter. I won't change what people have seen, and I'd rather show them in the Octagon instead of talking about it beforehand. Jones wasn't my problem until the UFC booked the fight. I'll spend a lot of time studying him and find the best way to stop him. I know he's versatile, but I have my own talents and know what it takes to win. The fight will be decided in the Octagon. Let him be the favorite. He'll enter with the label of being a prodigy, but I'll be stronger because of that. I can get Jones to the fifth round. I believe in myself, in what I'm doing and in my teammates."
Machida hasn't seen the inside of a cage since his crane kick knockout of Randy Couture at the UFC 129 event back in April. He's been itching to get back into action and now has the chance to reclaim the strap he coughed up to "Shogun" Rua in their second encounter.
Anyone think the Brazilian can do what no other fighter has done to date? Or is he just another victim, kid? For more on the UFC 140 headliner featuring Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida click here.
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