Machida set to face Rampage Jackson
Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida is slated to face Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 123 on November 20, 2010, in what could be one of the most interesting match-ups of the year. What makes this fight so different is the fact that theses fighters have such diametrically opposed fighting styles, and everyone knows—styles make fights.
Machida is a martial artist in the purest sense—he aims to strike at the right moment and protect himself at all times, inflicting damage when the opportunity arises while taking the least amount of damage possible. Rampage, on the other hand, goes in to brawl and isn’t afraid to go down swinging. He’s often been quoted saying that he doesn’t have a game plan before fights, and simply goes in to “whoop some ass.” Rampage has also been very vocal about his disdain for the evasive, karate style that Machida uses. He has gone so far as to call Machida “little cheetah,” implying that he runs fast and often and is unwilling to engage his opponents. Undoubtedly, Rampage will be very outspoken in the events leading up to this fight, potentially giving Machida even more reason to prove himself.
Despite his only loss to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Machida has been unstoppable and seemingly untouchable in his other 16 mixed martial arts bouts. Although Rampage doesn’t have the same winning streak as Machida, he has beaten a number of noteworthy competitors such as Chuck Liddell, Wanderlei Silva, and Keith Jardine. He’s been a force to be reckoned with in the octagon and will be no easy match for Machida.
Regardless of who wins or loses, this fight is extremely important for both fighters, who are looking to get back into title contention. A win for either one means that they are on the road back to the belt that they once held, and one step closer to having their hand raised as the UFC light heavyweight champion.
Tags: Light Heavyweight, UFC
