Lyoto Machida: I'm a Ghost

Tuesday, 09 December 2008 10:01

by Garv

Lyoto Machida's fighting style is often described as "elusive." His opponents and critics, however, prefer to think of it as "boring." But the fact is that Machida remains undefeated and his style has beaten everyone from BJ Penn to Rich Franklin to Tito Ortiz. So it's not surprising that Machida bristles when people call him boring. In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, Machida addressed the issue:

"Everyone has their own opinion and I really respect that. I am a martial artist, there is a lot of thought and strategy that goes into the way I fight. Give me time and in the future every one will understand my style. It is like jiu-jitsu in the beginning (UFC 1, 2, 3...), it was boring but now it is necessary. If you don’t like it, sorry. I always try to win. For some that is boring, I know, but I am beating the best in the world. After my fights I do not have nothing on my face, no scratches, no bruises. I am like a ghost they can not find me. If that is boring, that is their opinion. But I will be there for long time WINNING. Let everyone underestimate me. I will always be training ready for the next."

Now there are ghosts and there are ghosts. I don't think Machida fits into the Casper the Friendly Ghost category. He's more like Ghost Rider.