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[Texasboyballin]

Undefeated light heavyweight Lyoto Machida quietly entered the Ultimate Fighting Championship in December of 2006 as an asset of the defunct World Fighting Alliance and quickly became the dark horse of his weight division. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz begrudgingly fought the last fight of his contract against Machida at UFC 84 in May and was sent packing by the Brazilian’s methodical attack. Casual fans finally took notice of Machida’s threat.

His methodical nature is a blessing and a curse. The UFC’s marquee division is short on undefeated contenders – everyone has a blemish on their record. But Machida’s patient, karate-infused style, along with his native Portugese tounge, has not made him an easy subject to market, or an easy fighter to book. He remains the aficionado’s choice of light heavyweights.

Machida’s next challenge is against Thiago Silva at UFC 89 on Oct. 18 in Birmingham, England. Silva, another wrecking ball of a Brazilian with Machida’s 13-0 record, has torn through all but one of his four UFC opponents with strikes. It’s a good fight for Machida, but manager Ed Soares said he expected his client to get a title shot after defeating Ortiz.

“I do feel that Thiago’s a tough fighter,” Soares said. “I understand why they picked Thiago. I personally as a manager would have liked him to fight somebody with a bigger name.

“Yes, we were looking for a title shot. But just the way that it all worked out, it was going to be a while before he gets a title shot. Lyoto wanted to stay busy, and once again, being a business, I understand why they put this fight together. Both guys are 13-0. It’s kind of like who’s going to be the first one to get to 14? They have to have some sort of storyline to promote, and this makes sense. Both guys are going to enter the Octagon undefeated, and one is going to leave with a loss.”

With Chuck Liddell, Rashad Evans, Wanderlei Silva, and perhaps Quinton Jackson in title queue, Machida can expect up to a year before he faces the light heavyweight champion. The contender implications of the Silva fight are unknown, but Soares balks at the idea that Machida can’t find fights.

“If they don’t want to fight him, that’s they’re deal,” Soares said.” I wouldn’t want to fight any of our guys either. Our guys are all tough guys, they’re all very technical, and you make a wrong move, expect to be punished. It doesn’t necessarily make my job any harder, I think the UFC’s job may be a little bit harder.”

Soares handles the American business affairs of UFC champions Anderson Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and is very familiar with the challenges of bringing Brazilian fighters to an American audience. So far, his champions have been able to transcend cultural and language barriers with their relatable fighting styles — Silva pummels you, Nogueira submits you. Machida’s traits, whether inherent to all of his fights or a consequence of the styles he’s faced in the Octagon, are not an easy sell.

Soares says the UFC is hoping for an epic bout, one that can establish Machida as the clear contender if he wins. After all, he can only hover around the top of the division for so long before a big marketing push. From Soares’ perspective, it’s the missing piece to his appeal.

“From a business standpoint, they need to market Lyoto a little bit more,” he said. “At the end of the day, they have to build him up. It doesn’t make sense for them to have a champion (as) a relatively unknown fighter. If he was to beat Forrest Griffin, they have to put all that marketing machine on him to build up his pay-per-views.

“If he wins (the Silva) fight, hopefully that will give them a little bit more leverage, and a little bit more stuff to talk about, and more stuff to help promote him.”

Source:
Lyoto Machida Next in Line for LHW Title

[smoogy]

Who was it here who met Lyoto and asked him about this? I think he said he was probably going to get a shot in April of next year. To me, that sounded like Soares is making sure Machida doesn't have to take the back seat forever

[jlruthven84]

If Machida beats Thiago, especially if he finishes him, he's going to have to get a shot. The UFC is holding off on it for as long as they can, because they know he's probably going to beat whoever he faces.

[GEEZER]

Did they really expect a title shot for beating Tito ? Come on.... that's pretty
silly . Is this the guy that Anderson Silva says he will never fight because they are buds?. I seem to recall him saying that about someone. I hope it isn't Machida, because THAT is a fight I want to see at some point . That is a tough damn division !!!.

[willpunisher]

Silva pummels you, Nogueira submits you. Machida’s traits

damn, got that right!

i want to see lyoto fight chuck. and retire chuck or kick him up to the heavy weight division.

[jlruthven84]

Originally Posted by willpunisher

damn, got that right!

i want to see lyoto fight chuck. and retire chuck or kick him up to the heavy weight division.

I get the feeling that'd be a REALLY boring fight: two counterstrikers squaring off.

[smoogy]

Originally Posted by jlruthven84

I get the feeling that'd be a REALLY boring fight: two counterstrikers squaring off.

Just because Liddell is a counter-puncher doesn't mean he only moves backwards... if anything, I think it would be pretty exciting, Liddell trying to apply the pressure while Lyoto shows him what Karate is really aboot. And if it did slow down into a tactical battle, I see Chuck getting kicked about 50 times and probably shoved on his ass once or twice

[jlruthven84]

Originally Posted by smoogy

Just because Liddell is a counter-puncher doesn't mean he only moves backwards... if anything, I think it would be pretty exciting, Liddell trying to apply the pressure while Lyoto shows him what Karate is really aboot. And if it did slow down into a tactical battle, I see Chuck getting kicked about 50 times and probably shoved on his ass once or twice

For sure Chuck has shown a tendency lately to be more aggressive...look no further than the Wandy fight...but he's still at his best when he hangs back and looks for that counter right hand.

Its tough to see how a fight between those two would go down. I think we'll know a little more about that after Chuck's next two fights.

[jhell]

I say Chuck beats Lyoto should it ever happen. His punches pack more power. I"ll be on for Av/sig bets if it ever happens.

[pa99ortiz]

I think if this bout did take place, we would see Chuck utilize his wrestling skills to the fullest. A lot of people seem to forget that Chuck is one of the most talented wrestlers in the game. The only time we have really seen him display this was in the Wandy fight. I'd put my money on Chuck versus Machida.