When Rashad Evans makes his first defense of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's light heavyweight title at UFC 98, he'll be a big underdog to challenger Lyoto Machida.BestFightOdds.com lists three different sports books taking odds on Evans vs. Machida, and they all have Machida as at least a -200 favorite.
It's rare for an undefeated champion like Evans to be an underdog, but then again it's rare for an undefeated champion to be taking on an opponent like Machida, who isn't just undefeated but has used his elusive style to frustrate opponents and win all his fights rather easily.
In fact, my only question is, given that Machida is a heavy favorite, why don't more MMA rankings reflect the general consensus that Machida is going to beat Evans? My own list of the Top 10 light heavyweights in MMA has Machida first and Evans third, and my MMA Top 10 pound-for-pound has Machida ahead of Evans as well. But I'm in a small minority; almost every ranking on the web has Evans on top.
I sense that a lot of people who do rankings feel the need to put the guy who has the championship belt at the top of the list, but I just don't buy that. I think the rankings should reflect the ranker's own personal opinion, and my own personal opinion is that Machida is better than Evans. The MMA bookmakers agree with me.
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
At the beginning I was not a Rashad fan. I did not have him high in my list. I tought Chuck and Forrest would beat him. After being wrong twice I decided to put him at top of my list.
I also think Machida is better and will win but I have been wrong before.
Rankings are all opinions. People should not take it too seriously. I doubt the UFC pays much attention to them, other then to get a sense what matchups fans want. I do enjoy reading the ranking of others it helps me formulate my own ranking
Thanks for the comment, Frederick. I always enjoy hearing what you think of the rankings.
I do rankings because I personally think they're fun, and because I think they're good for new fans who haven't seen all the fighters. If you're just getting into MMA and you hear, "Quinton Jackson is fighting Keith Jardine," you don't necessarily know what that means. But if you hear, "the No. 2 light heavyweight is fighting the No. 7 light heavyweight," that gives you an idea of what kind of fight it is.
Machida uses his defensive offense to work around guys not quick enough to play his game. Rashad is quick enough in both hands and feet to counter that style of fighting.
My thought is that he (Rashad) can attempt his first attack and will be able to attack a second time on Machida's evasion. The key is seeing if Machida will be able to effectively launch counters during these.
I always get dissapointed by the fighters that should win. I think that machida should stomp evans. I'm really tired of having the champ be a mid grade fighter really who has Evans beat?
I agree with you somewhat ...
Forrest isn't a big puncher, so he didn't threaten Evans much ... Forrest was hoping to win a decision as he did against Rampage.
Chuck may or may not be the Chuck we used to know, so it's difficult to credit Evans alot there either.
Evans has power, conditioning, and an incredible camp ... is it possible he could beat Machida?
By that same logic who has Machida beaten?
Also remember that Evans used to fight at heavyweight and was an extremely undersized heavyweight at that. In his last three fights alone he has beaten Bisping, Griffin and Lidell. He also holds victories over Jason Lambert and Stephan Bonnar.
Let's not try and act as if Evans is some bum who has never beaten anyone. He was a very decorated college wrestler at Michigan State as well as a former Ultimate Fighter winner. He also trains at Jacksons MMA (same camp as Villasenior, marquardt, St.Pierre, Jardine and Cerrone) and will no doubt have a great gameplan for Machida.
I think that this fight will depend on who has the better stand-up (obviously). Rashad has shown he has great punching power and Lyoto has shown that he's great at countering aggressive fighters. I personally see this one going to Machida.
Machida has more tools than Rashad. Rashad more strength and mahybe more spped. Regardless, this fight is a good chance to see just how crafty Machida can be.
Not sure why the MMA community isn't as excited about this fight as maybe that potential Jackson/Evans clash. Machida is an amazingly talented and multi-faceted LHW. His fighting is an art form.
I think the problem most MMA fans have with Machida is his fighting style isn't endearing to fans. Also, it's hard to want to pay $50 to see a main event with a guy that fights that way. It's a great fight but I think machida needs to face at least one more top level fighter to earn his title shot. Other than Silva he never beat anyone that was that great. Not to mention most of his fights (4/6) in the UFC have went to a decision. He is a fantastic fighter but just boring to watch when your trying to justify $50 on him in a main event. Thats what I think anyway.
to add to or maybe even modify my comments from earlier, if Evans can win this fight it would erase alot of doubts about evans. Personally i would love to see Evans put to sleep like the----- that i think he is. And for anyone who uses Liddel as a measuring stick for evans needs to remember that he was a knockout post for awhile before evans got to him. And I am a fan of Liddel, Griffen, and many other sub elite fighters
@MDS
Don't you think it's true that Rashad Evans has been an underdog his entire career and has in fact always thrived when all the odds are against him?
The one thing I worry about with this fight is that both fighters are essentially counter punchers and it could be very boring.
Thoughts?
I sure that the fight will start off slow, but it is a 5 rounder so a little feeling out won't be a big deal.
I think that Machida is responding to the boring allegations, and is attempting to be more aggressive in his last few fights. Do you think that Tito would have made it 5 rounds with Machida? I don't.
Lyoto has a stance, and the speed, to be a very fast winner of almost any fight. That Karate stance with his agility and athleticism will keep him on top for quite a while. Only if he is out of position and gets caught by Evans can Evans win. Just my humble opinion
Evans is heavily overrated. He has only fought one big name in his prime and that's Forrest Griffin, who in all fairness never should have beaten Rampage. Evans will lose this fight and it will be a 5th round unanimous decision to Machida, only saying that because Machida doesnt finish many fights.
Machida is the most technically all around fighter in the U.F.C. Evans is a very good wrestler and striker. Both prefer to counter but they obviously know it is a must to set up the attack. It should be a great fight unless you like 30 second knockouts
Im so confident in the odd makers being wrong im putting BIG money on Sugar!
The only reason I believe this is one people seem to forget this guy is a extremly good WRESTLER... if I was him fighting a guy who doesnt chose to engadge much; id make him win by taking him down and pounding him.
That way Machida has to attack and not back away the whole fight
Everyone seems to forget (or they don't know) that Machida is also has a very good BJJ game.
Machida has been training in BJJ for almost 20 years.... I don't think Rashad has a distinct advantage taking it to the ground. He doesn't have an advantage on the feet either, he's just in trouble in this fight. Machida FTW.
I believe this is a real tough fight to call. Both men have the abilitie to win no matter how heavily favored they are. One thing I learned about this sport over the past couple of years, is that you never really know what will happen.
Rashad is too fast for Machida, speed is very important in fight.
Machida is too smart for Evans, he wont take a risk. Being smart in a fight is very important too.
Going to be a boring fight.
Don't see Evans getting TKO although I hate the common bitch.
I hope Machida wins.