Lyoto Machida - Is he a legend?

[Flokk]

Yup.

 

[Franklin U.]

I honestly don't see how you cannot regard Machida as a anything but a legend. We're talking about a guy who gave Rich Franklin his first loss, even though Rich had 12 more fights than him at that point in time! He beat Sokoudjou when it meant something, gave both Thiago Silva and Rashad Evans their first loss, in brutal fashion. Went full Karate kid on Randy, and outclassed Mousasi.

Yes, there were times where he wasn't entertaining, but he still provided us great highlight-reel knockouts and perhaps the most iconic face in MMA. He was a riddle that nobody seemed to be able to figure out for years, and even after the Shogun fights, he still remained a very tough fight for anyone. He had some brutal losses in the latter part of his career, but that doesn't mean that he wasn't once an amazing fighter.

<mma2>
Machida bless

Lol- he didn't outclass mousasi. He got outstruck 66-37 by a man coming off 2 mcl- tears and hadn't fought at 185 in several years.Machida won a close, "fight of the night" based on significant strikes and mousasi being a bit over cautious. Mousasi takes 1-2 fights at 185 before fighting Lyoto and I'm extremely confident he gets w.They fight anytime in past year and present, Machida gets stopped.

As far as legend is considered, I consider him as much.If they call Diego a legend then Machida is an obvious one.

 

[cevo]

He's a great fighter but not everybody can be a legend. The most watered down term ever. "Legends" in my view are guys like Jose Aldo, GSP etc.

 

[The Natural Born Runner]

He was laying out Penn and Franklin before it was cool

When did he lay out Penn? Also, are we going to pretend that BJ Penn isn't a Lightweight?

 

[The Natural Born Runner]

In my opinion Machida is not a legend.

His career is littered with bang-average opponents, with a sprinkle of notable wins. His prime lasted about 2 years and he quite simply could not adapt to people not chasing him and allowing him to counter.

Machida was at a time a great fighter, but in my opinion will never be one of the all-time greats.

 

[Chain Saw]

I am open to having an argument about it.

Why do you think he is a legend?

I personally think that he was a good fighter but UFC has had a lot of good fighters. Not sure what makes machida special

He was the first to make a specific martial art work in the octagon.

Before Machida, everyone laughed at Karate as a legitimate, functional martial art.

Pretty revolutionary, wouldn't you say?

 

[Black Uhlan]

he's a legend for making so many hipsters taste their own piss, only by drinking a glass of apple juice

 

[josh345]

Isn't there already a thread on this that was made with a poll? An overwhelming number of users voted yes to Machida being a legend so there's that. Fuck this dumb ass question

 

[Ballsack Mcgee]

I love Machida. He's got everything you want in a great fighter. He's got that mysterious traditional style. He's got the look. He looks like he's straight out of a video game or fighting action movie. He's half Brazilian half Japanese. He's got the skills. He beat several fighters at their best and who were undefeated at the time. He's a true martial artist who lives the lifestyle and is very respectful. He's a true legend in my eyes if I've ever seen one, even if he was only champ a short while.

 

[C0NCH3TO]

everyone is a legend nowadays.....
no...imo he aint. "Legend" is a huge word to me.

 

[HankScorpio]

Legend!

 

[Megatronlee]

Career incomplete

 

[shertardinho]

I loved his Couture KO and also some others
but as some OP stated, his opponents adapted to his counter style but he didn't learn new tricks himself and got wrestlefucked by tough wrestlers
overall a name to remember and respect as mma fan

 

[Bjjpitbull8]

 

[bufetadanacara]

Undefeated for 7 years, always fought against good competition.

I think the first Shogun fight really knocked a lot out of both fighters as neither seemed to be the same after that.


"Legend" ??? I am not sure, perhaps I define the word differently.

GOAT is Fedor, no doubt.
Machida lands in the next tier of fighters for sure, along with guys like Nogueira and Penn.

The only "legend" I know of is Rickson

 

[TStoner]

Defended his belt once, in a fight people generally believe he lost. 2-3 in title fights, including the one mentioned above. Admitted to using banned substances. Other fighters claim that he has greased in their fights.

Definitely NOT a legend.

 

[Soul Rebel 2]

he proved the viability of a martial art that most people considered useless and paved the way for numerous other TMA influenced fighters. He's most certainly a legend.

 

[Papawash]

His reign was pretty short lived but he's one of the greats fo sho.

 

[AC1D1K]

When did he lay out Penn? Also, are we going to pretend that BJ Penn isn't a

When did he lay out Penn? Also, are we going to pretend that BJ Penn isn't a Lightweight?

Ryoto fought Penn in early 2000's I'm not looking it up for you I aint your mama

 

[Ghostoftheville]

already told you. 2 of those 5 were bullshit decisions and everyone loses to jones and romero is a stud. he also gave weidman a good fight.


and why bring those guys up. are you really using them to argue that shogun had as good of tdd as machida. you must be joking if thats the case you are trying to make. ask anyone how good machida's tdd is and they will tell you it was amongst the best.

He brought them up because you stated Machida handled wrestlers well, yet the majority of his loses are to wrestlers. Hell, even Tito gave him more trouble than anybody expected when they fought.