An Old Article about Lyoto

Lyoto "the Dragon" Machida

Someone e-mailed me an old NY Times article today: Contender Shores Up Karate’s Reputation Among U.F.C. Fans.  It’s about Lyoto Machida, written right before he knocked Rashad on his rear.  The article is about how Lyoto’s style is changing people’s perception of karate.  I agree with most of the article, but I think that karate’s reputation was suffering even before the UFC.  Lyoto really turned things around.

What’s ironic is that he’s not the only karate specialist.  Chuck Liddell and current welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, both mentioned in the article, are primarily karate stylists, as is Bas Rutten.  Pat Miletich got his striking from karate too.  Lyoto just happens to have the most karate-looking style.

Anyway, I liked the article.  Lyoto is definitely my favorite fighter on the circuit today.  My favorite fighters, in order, are:

1. Lyoto Machida

2. B.J. Penn

3. Quinton Jackson (because of his superior trash talk)

4. Tito Ortiz (because of his moodiness)

5. Whoever is fighting Matt Hughes (because I don’t like Matt)

Related posts:

1. Lyoto Machida Gets Title Shot!
2. Lyoto Machida, Newest UFC Champion!
3. Traditional blocking
4. Raising a Karate Kid