As an avid UFC viewer and practitioner, I have taken a liking to one mixed martial artist in particular, Lyoto, The Dragon, Machida. Lyoto is a Brazilian Jujitsu black belt along with a third degree black belt in Shotokan karate. Machida is currently the UFC light heavy weight champion and with a perfect MMA record of 16-0, I think that he is unstoppable.
This fighter is best described by one word, unorthodox. Lyoto’s background in Shotokan teaches him to fight unconventionally utilizing a very wide stance allowing him to be fast, elusive and able to deliver a flurry of powerful strikes. Prior to his most recent win against Shogun Rua, Machida averaged being hit an astonishingly low number of roughly 1.5 times per round. Machida demonstrated these technical striking skills in UFC 98 when he stripped Rashad Evans of his light heavy weight belt and knocked him out cold with a barrage of facial and body combinations. In addition to his use of Shotokan and Jujitsu, Machida’s repertoire consists of Wrestling and Sumo. These styles allow him to escape potential danger, and also to manipulate his opponent into positions for submission. Not only are Lyoto’s fighting methods very interesting, so are his pre-fight rituals.
He starts out with meditation to ironically make his soul, body and mind at rest. Machida clears his mind and his thoughts to achieve ultimate peace and serenity. In addition to cleansing his spirit, The Dragon spends an immense amount of time envisioning his opponent, imagining him, and defeating him. He questions, “How can I finish this fight?”
Lyoto, The Dragon, Machida is a huge inspiration to me not only as a fighter, but also as a role model. He achieved his dream of becoming the best fighter in his division through hard work and perseverance, advice all of our parents stress but not all of us heed. To grow up to be half the fighter and man he is would be a tremendous honor and privilege.
Zach, your ending was heartfelt and adorable. With meditation and the desire to embrace tranquility, this guy sounds alot differnet from the cocky guy you mentioned before. Though, I'd probably never get near a ring with either of them in it.
ReplyDeleteyes it is quite ironic that he starts by meditating to make his 'mind at rest,' considering hes about to fight someone.
ReplyDeleteNice work Zach. I think that last paragraph really pulled everything together. It is true, by the way, that we rarely heed our parents' advice.
ReplyDeleteI see you are a big fan of "The Dragon"...excellent job mentioning Shotokan Karate (he claims its "Machida Karate..." Burger King calls it a "Whopper" even though its just a less greasy Big Mac).
ReplyDeleteI also love that you point out his sumo background...I have heard stories flying around about Machida balancing on a pole on one set of toes for hours at a time. Sumo is very under-appreciated in the MMA world.
I don't know if you know this Zach, but "The Dragon" actually drinks his own urine before a fight in the spirit of tradition (his father is a native of Japan).
Nice tribute to my man Lyoto, Zach.
Haha thanks Ben. And is that true about the balancing thing?
ReplyDeleteHahaha Vivek, I was thinking the same thing. It seems counterproductive...if one is trying to be at peace with his/her mind... perhaps he/she shudnt proceed to beat someone up.
ReplyDeleteMeditation, arrow symbol, submission (of another). Pardoxical!
ReplyDelete