Jones vs Machida
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With the countdown to UFC 140 winding down to just a few days, the television promo for Saturday's championship fight runs more frequently to build up an event that is centered around the motto of "Art comes alive."
There's no denying that both Lyoto Machida and Jon Jones are two of the most technically sound fighters in the Light Heavyweight division; but sometimes technique can make for boring fights. Only true MMA fans will appreciate the type of precise striking and defensive maneuvers that will take place between Machida and Jones. However, if you're the type of fan that enjoys an all-out brawl with a big knockout ending, then you may want to hold off on forking over those $65 to watch it at home.
Flying knees, spinning back-elbows and wild kicks are just a few of the mind-blowing moves Jones possesses in his arsenal. But until now, he's faced opponents who enjoy standing toe-to-toe and banging out victories. The concept of beating Jones to the punch is an unimaginable feat considering he has the longest reach in the UFC at 84.5 inches. Which is why all of his opponents have failed miserably with their aggressive nature.
Machida presents a completely different game plan that no other fighter is capable of mimicking. For years many fighters were unable to find a way to defeat Machida when he was on his way to winning the Light Heavyweight championship. Like Jones, Machida's masterful technique and quickness present a number of problems for aggressive opponents.
So why do these two skillful fighters make for a dull fight?
A lot of defense is going to be played here on the part of Machida. The karate fighter's style employs swift in-and-out attacks and lots of moving around the cage. This is no knock to Machida as a fighter; but that evasive style will make Jones just look average in the cage.
Jones will probably do a lot striking from the outside and use leg kicks to wear down Machida's movement. Also, Jones may be a little more reserved when it comes to unleashing his wild kicks and aerial attacks, because Machida thrives on missed opportunities. One mistake by Jones and he may be on the other end of a flurry.
I truly hope I'm wrong and that Saturday's championship fight will be filled with fast-paced action and a possible finish. But history has shown that the majority of Machida's fights go the distance; and on the four occasions he's finished fights, it's because his opponents either made a mistake or were too aggressive with their attacks thus subjecting them to his style of fighting.
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