UFC 94 Breakdown: The Main Card

Thiago Silva vs. Lyoto Machida

Thiago Silva Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6-foot-1/205 lbs.
Age: 26
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Fighting out of: Curitiba, Brazil
Record: 13-0

The stakes: While many a fan revile Machida’s tactical precision, Silva’s pure aggression has made him a popular figure in the space of four UFC fights. That popularity and undefeated record is not all Silva will put up for grabs, however. With a glut of title challengers saturating the division, UFC matchmaker Joe Silva is playing the Soup Nazi when it comes to handing out title shots. A loss here and Thiago can forget about getting any bread with his crab bisque.

The breakdown: You’d have an easier time figuring out the Zodiac Killer’s cipher than coming up with an effective game plan for throttling Machida. With that said, Silva’s love of close-quarters combat means he won’t be content to stay at arm’s length and allow Machida to pick him apart from afar. Unlike past opponents, Silva must remain dedicated to getting in Machida’s grill or risk falling victim to the slick Brazilian’s Willie Pep routine.

Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 6-foot-1/205 lbs.
Age: 26
Hometown: Salvador, Brazil
Fighting out of: Belem, Brazil
Record: 13-0

The stakes: At this point, it’s painfully obvious that the UFC matchmaking department won’t do Machida any favors in his quest for the light heavyweight strap. After five fights under the UFC banner, Machida’s biggest opportunity came against Tito Ortiz in a fight designed more to make the outgoing former champion look like damaged goods. If nothing else, Machida needs this win to move one step closer to forcing his way into fights with the division’s elite.

The breakdown: It’s hardly a stretch to say Machida’s game plan always consists of the usual elusiveness and precision striking. Those are the skills upon which he will have to rely against Silva’s headfirst aggression. Especially important will be Machida’s ability to avoid getting cornered, as Silva’s brute strength and power make him tough to handle once he seizes the offensive initiative. Even if Silva has his moments, though, Machida’s ability to control the tempo still gives him an edge that’s tough for anyone to overcome.


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The bottom line: The Machida bandwagon is hardly at capacity, but for all the talk of his supposedly boring style, he remains a strategic nightmare and one of MMA’s most feared fighters. Many have tried to close the pocket on Machida and bully him around, but his maddening accuracy and excellent Thai plum make that strategy more dangerous than logical. It won’t take long for Machida to break down Silva’s simplistic style, and once that happens, it’ll be another 15-minute display of flawless technique from everyone’s favorite former Antonio Inoki protégé.