Anderson Silva v. James Irvin

[Pinky]

I get what you're saying, and yeah, I know Lyoto defeated BJ Penn... But that was like what... 3 years ago? A lot can happen in 3 years, heck, I can get to my first black belt in 3 years. Like I said, there is no for sure in MMA... Even a few months can result in a huge amount of difference. Upsets do happen, that's why they are called upsets. I know everyone counted Matt Serra out when he was fighting GSP (who btw is friend to the coach I am training under), but boom, he lands a great punch. AND it wasn't just some fucking lucky punch that happens ever so often, no, these people are professional, they look for their hits, and set up their strong hooks or KO punches.

Serra was GSP's most difficult opponent: a highly experienced and undaunted submission artist with heavy hands. And the first punch that rocked GSP wasn't even a "punch" per se, it was actually a forearm that caught him in the back of the head which is an illegal strike. That's luck if only because the ref didn't call a time-out so GSP could recover. And this isn't comparable to the Liddel v Evans fight because Liddell is the superior fighter and he's Rashad's worst nightmare skill-wise.

Quoting from Brandon Vera who in his own rights is a very impressive fighter, "When you get to a high level of fighting like in the UFC, it is no longer just punching and kicking, it's more like a chess game, if he does this, I gotta do that." It is like a chess game, you make one mistake, and you get your queen taken or you get a checkmate. When the fighting becomes so professional, it is like a waiting game, you're waiting for your opponent to commit the first mistake.

That's an oversimplification. There are rock-paper-scissor style movements, but individual ability (strength, speed, accuracy, timing, confidence, reach, endurance - and Liddell takes the advantage in them all) is also key.

Who are we to judge if Rashad Evans or Lyoto Machida do not deserve the title, opinions will be opinions at the end, but there is no such thing as a lucky punch in a business like this. That's what I've been hearing from my coach ever since the start of my training. "There's no such thing as a lucky punch, you either make a mistake and get knocked out, or knock out someone for committing a mistake." Although I must say, if Rashad Evans is headlining a UFC event instead of Lyoto Machida, who I believe is making an appearance at UFC 89: Leben vs Bisping, and he is taking on Thiago Silva, who is also undefeated. If he does win that fight, he will make a definite advance in ranks.

Your coach is only telling you that to keep you from over-thinking things. I understand that certain mental limitations help keep a fighter sharp, but you must realize that it's essentially a Jedi mentality and shouldn't be taken to the extreme (I hope that you don't believe blowing out your ACL or breaking your hand during a punch is a conscious mistake). Also, besides a title shot there's not a lot of room left for Machida to climb.

Lyoto vs Thiago is a extremely high card fight, but it is no main event. Rashad was also the person who was seen to most likely win the Ultimate Fighter in his season, and Matt Hughes even says that Rashad has the potential to make it big in this business. I don't care if Lyoto is indeed the better fighter, he hasn't earned his spot in UFC to even be considered for a title shot. As you very well know, the LHW is a tremendously competitive weight class, and I'm telling you right now, it takes a little more than being undefeated to become champion.

TUF is an amateur tournament designed to pick at least one guy in the selected weight class(es) to join the UFC at the bottom rung. Rashad won the only heavyweight competition they've ever had on the show, which is a particularly unimpressive division. His performances so far have been mediocre, including that split decision that won him the TUF2 finale. It's funny that you say being undefeated isn't enough to be champion, because that's the only thing Rashad has going for him. His best attribute is LUCK due to his winning so many split decisions and that silly Tito thing. But, as long as a piano doesn't fall on Chuck's head it looks like his luck has run out.

Also, knowing this from my coach. A loss is a better learning opportunity than a win. That has also been quoted many times before. If you go through your career never being defeated, you won't know what its like to be on the receiving side of critism and experience. That's where you have to get back up on your feet, and continue your journey as a Martial Artist. Now, I don't claim to be an expert in the octagon, but I'm pretty sure my knowledge about Martial Arts is slightly above many of the people in this RPG. Knowing this much, it's not about what your status looks like, it's what you bring to the table.

I know a bit about fight sports myself and Rashad's abilities are insufficient for this match, which is what I've been pointing out this entire time.

Lyoto, yes, scored some pretty impressive wins, and one particularly that was against Tito. He has a history of imposing his will against many of the greats in UFC. But as I said, Lyoto lack the reality of actually pulling off an impressive finish in the UFC which is going to be a huge thing to work on if you wanna progress in "Entertainment". Most people don't wanna see 2 people scrambling about on the ground, nor do they wanna see a submission finish(I particularly like both, but that's speaking from being an Artist myself). But most UFC fans desire a fancy brawl, a slug-fest if you will, and they wanna see the opposition get knocked out clean. I know as a fan back in my early days, I liked to see people swinging at each other and getting knocked out.

Maybe this was true five or six years ago, but MMA fans in general and UFC fans in particular have become much more refined. When fighters scramble for submission locks and reverse position on the ground there's as much cheering as during an exchange. Lyoto has garnered himself a nice fanbase for having only five fights in the UFC and it's getting bigger.

As for Rashad, he finished many of his opponents, he finished many opponents in the Ultimate Fighter show, and many people from that show would eventually come out to be known fighters. By the way, Ryo Chonan's win against Anderson Silva, god damn that was some fucking expertise with a joint lock. To be able to turn a leg scissor, and position himself so damn nicely to execute that heel hook, GOD FUCKING DAMN was it awesome.

Evans has finished two fights as a UFC fighter (which is only one more than Lyoto...) and TUF tournaments are full of low-level fighters. You seem to have a very unrealistic view of Rashad's ability and his record. I don't know if you're just obsessed with him as a fan or if you're full blown gay for him, but you should prepare yourself for disappointment come UFC88.