Official "UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida" Discussion

[xtremebadass]

May 23, 2009
UFC 98: Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida

Official Card:

Main Event:
Light Heavyweight Champion
"Sugar" Rashad Evans (18-0-1) vs. Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida (14-0-0)

Co-Main Event:
Matt Hughes vs. Matt "the Terror" Serra

Yushin Okami Vs. Dan Miller

Sean Sherk Vs. Frank Edgar

Brock Larson Vs. Chris Wilson

Pat Barry Vs. Tim Hague

Phillipe Nover Vs. Kyle Bradley

Houston Alexander Vs. Andre Gusmao

Yoshiyuki Yoshida Vs. Brandon Wolff

Dave Kaplan Vs. George Roop

I am dying to know who won't be undefeated anymore. Rashad and Machida are both strong finishers, they really love putting on a show. Pitting both against one another will be a huge main event. I am also anxious to see Houston Alexander back in the octogon. Hughes vs. Serra, well, it's sort of late to settle that score. It's not a hot topic anymore. Also excited for Roop vs. Kaplan. I loved those guys on TUF: Mir vs. Nog. Discuss UFC 98.

 

[Wordlife]

Roop and Kaplan should be a good bout, hopefully Kaplan pulls out a win there

I got Evans taking that fight only because it some times I really really can't stand Machida... even though he IS a beast.

Hughes and Serra is the match I really want to see, I have Matt winning that one. Matt is one of my favorite underrated UFC fighters, he should have that one in the bag, even though Serra is not a tough fight

 

[xtremebadass]

Serra is going to take Hughes IMO. Hughes is getting way too old to keep fighting. He is not Randy Couture fighting at like 45

 

[Millzy Pt. 2]

Hughes is getting way too old to keep fighting. He is not Randy Couture fighting at like 45

I wish Chuck Liddell would learn the same thing too... I got Serra winning this fight over Hughes by submission (rear naked choke).

As for Evans and Machida, I'm actually worried that Machida can pull out the unthinkable upset over a dominating Rashad Evans. Machida is pretty confident IMO, I can see this fight going 5 rounds (unaminous decision).

 

[xtremebadass]

I think that Dana would prefer Rashad winning over Machida since Rashad won TUF and it would look good for the show and the company. Machida could turn the UFC upside down though, not only taking the belt, but defeating the UNDEFEATED Ultimate Fighter Winner. That's big stuff right there.

 

[Switchy]

http://mmamania.com/2009/05/03/hous...scratched-from-may-23-event-with-broken-hand/

Free-falling light heavyweight Houston Alexander has been scratched from his fight against Andre Gusmao at UFC 98 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 23 because of a broken hand suffered during training.
The UFC confirmed the injury earlier today and is expected to name his replacement shortly.
This is the third bout within the past four days to undergo a change in competitors. Late last week, James Irvin was replaced by Xavier Foupa-Pokam against Drew McFedries after tearing his knee and postponing his middleweight debut.
Later that day, Chael Sonnen was tapped to replace an injured Yushin Okami opposite Dan Miller after “Thunder,” like “The Sandman,” did serious damage to his knee.
Frank Mir, Quinton Jackson and Josh Koscheck were all attached to this card at one point as well — before injuries gave them the boot.
“The Assassin” now has the honor of joining that illustrious fraternity.
Alexander (8-4) was relatively unknown to the masses until he burst onto the scene with two destructive performances inside the Octagon, taking out top contender Keith Jardine in his debut back at UFC 71: “Liddell vs. Jackson” in May 2007 and then crumbling Alessio Sakara at UFC 75: “Champion vs. Champion” less than four months later.
The Nebraskan, however, quickly returned to Earth — practically crash landing with three straight losses to Thiago Silva at UFC 78, James Irvin Fight Night 13 and Eric Schafer at Fight Night 15.

UFC President Dana White indicated before his most recent loss to Schafer that Alexander needed a win or would risk having to take fights in smaller organizations and win his way back into the Octagon for another opportunity to shine.
It appeared that the charismatic father of six would get at least once more chance to prove he belongs with the top mixed martial arts promotion in the world — until this latest setback that could keep him out of action for several months.
Stay tuned.
UFC 98 will feature (we hope) the light heavyweight title fight between Rashad Evans and undefeated challenger Lyoto Machida. Also on the May 23 card, former UFC welterweight champions Matt Hughes and Matt Serra will finally settle their eternal grudge match.
For the latest UFC 98 fight card and rumors click here.

So Houston is injured, it's a shame I guess but with Krystof being his replacement (http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2009/05/05/krzysztof-soszynski-to-replace-houston-alexander-at-ufc-98/) I can't say I'm too upset about it.

It's a bit of a risk though for Krystof having only just come off a fight at UFC 97 but I can see the guy wants to make a name for himself so I respect him for that and hopefully he becomes one of the big names in the LHW division by the end of the year.

 

[xtremebadass]

Krystof was a standout on TUF, good to see him stepping up to the plate. Shame about Houston Alexander though. I was stoked to see him back in the Octogon.

 

[Wrestling Station]

yeah Houston Alexander is a beast. hopefully he will return soon.
Im really excited to see the Evans vs Machida fight. Machida is training with Anderson Silva and I think Evans will be facing his toughest opponent ever imo.

 

[xtremebadass]

Yea I don't see this going anywhere shorter than 3 rounds. This will probably go to decision, Evans will not get a good hit like he did on Chuck this time around. He has his work cut out for him.

 

[Wordlife]

... Evans will probably go out on a limb to win early, but we ALL know it'll most likely run 3 rounds for sure

 

[WarMachine]

I'm pulling for Machida on this one, when he made his debut I knew he would be BIG plus I really can't stand Evans didn't like him in TUF and can't stand him now been waiting for someone to knock him out for quite sometime. The undercard also looks really nice this event some really good fights there, should be a solid show.

 

[MTG]

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans vs Lyoto Machida:
This is one of the hardest fights for me to predict. Both of these guys are undefeated in their MMA careers but it seems like the UFC want Rashad to win this fight so he could go on and fight Rampage. Machida is one of the best technical fighters today, his strategy is to lure his opponent to him which is exactly what i think will happen with Rashad. Rashad is very cocky and that will be his downfall in this fight. He does have the KO power but Lyoto is the least hit fighter in UFC history. The only way i see Rashad winning is by going to his TUF style and taking Lyoto down and using his superior wrestling to his advantage.
Lyoto Machida by TKO in the 4th Round

Matt Hughes vs Matt Serra:
This fight is finally happening (two years late) and now it means nothing, theres no title on the line but this is a huge grudge match. The buildup to this fight has been awesome and both these guys genuinely hate each other. Serra has the KO power to end the fight in one punch but i don't see Hughes standing with him too long. They both have good ground games Hughes has awesome wrestling and Serra is a Jiu Jitsu Black belt.
Matt Serra by Unanimous Decision

Drew Mcfedries vs Xavier Foupa-Pokam
Both of these guys victories have come by KO. Mcfedries is in a must win situation, he's lost 3 of his last 4 fights. Xavier just lost in his Octagon debut and a loss here could signify the end of his UFC career. Both of these guys are looking to impress. Mcfedries has awesome KO power and none of his fights in the UFC have gone past the first round.
Drew Mcfedries by KO in the 1st Round

Dan Miller vs Chael Sonnen:
Dan miller has 3 straight victories in the ufc and Sonnen is coming in after loosing his UFC debut to Demian Maia. Jim miller has good wrestling and an awesome ground game in general. His stand up hasn't really been tested and thats what Sonnen should do to win this fight. If Sonnen keeps the fight standing he'll be more effective than if he takes it to the ground.
Jim Miller by Submission in the 3rd Round

Sean Sherk vs Frankie Edgar:
These two are almost the same type of fighters except Sherk is just better at everything. Sherk has the best wrestling in the Lightweight division and Edgar has trouble with bigger wrestlers. Sherk is stronger and has better wrestling ability. I would say Edgar has a slight adavantage standing up. Sherk has short arms so Edgar will need to use the get in get out strategy that BJ penn used against him. Edgar doesn't stand a chance on the ground. Sherk is tough to submit since his limbs are shorter and his kneck is thicker. Edgars sliiiight chance would be to keep it standing and use his jab to tire Sherk out.
Sean Sherk by Unanimous Decision

Thoughts?

 

[MTG]

Well I did pretty shit for these predictions going 2-3 bringing my total to 9-6

 

[MikeRaw]

Glad that Machida won. First round was a little awkward, but he dominated in the second.
So it's Machida vs Rampage next?

 

[Wrestling Station]

Machida the Japanese/Brazilian Karate Master! he is definitaly going to dominate the light heavyweight division for Looooooooong time! Mark my words!