Lyoto Machida delivered one of the most irresistible displays of pinpoint striking ever witnessed to claim the UFC light-heavyweight title at UFC 98.
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There are moments in any sport, moments that categorically underline an individual’s class. May 23 was Machida’s moment.
Controlling The Octagon as if in the comfort of his own home, the Brazilian Karateka sized Rashad Evans up, sensed the moment to strike, and left the champion pole-axed on the canvas.
A second-round stoppage of the most epic proportions.
Evans had been billed as the man with the explosive hands, yet only once in a shade under nine minutes did the previously undefeated champion even connect with his elusive opponent.
Machida, now 15-0 and still to lose a round in The UFC, kept Evans way outside of striking distance, leaning back in trademark style to wound his foe with some shuddering body kicks.
One such kick, followed by a straight left, was enough to floor the defending champion but to Evans’ credit he clung on and avoided the flurry of punches coming his way.
Round one to Machida, it always goes to Machida.
The second stanza would not reach the five-minute completion. Machida, backed by thunderous chanting of his name for the first time since he entered The UFC, was about to dish out a lesson in precision timing.
Using the body kick once more, Machida drew Evans out of his shell – out of his gameplan – for the first time to unload a series of rapid counters to the head.
Once again the Karate master backed off. The Samurai knew THE moment was still to come. He did not have to wait long.
The unsettled Evans engaged again, he couldn’t help himself, and Machida pounced like a snake to rock him with a razor-sharp straight left.
The champion was gone, throwing up any defence he could muster as Machida tossed away his usual calm to launch at him Chuck Liddell-style. A huge right connected, then one more big left, Evans was out cold.
Unlike when Evans beat Forrest Griffin for the title back in December '08, Machida’s victory is as significant as victories come in MMA.
This time victory ushers in a new era…an era of dominance, the era of Lyoto Machida.