by: Jack Bratcher
Like most companies, the UFC is not a democracy. There’s a boss. And the boss probably isn’t going to be very happy if one of his employees is telling the world that the company is cooking the books. Well, it seems that’s exactly what Lyoto Machida has done. According to themmapost.com this is how a recent interview Lyoto had with Tatame is translated:
“Look.. to me, Quinton beat Forrest, but they gave it to Forrest. I think the UFC wants a champion that Chuck Liddell can beat, so he can win the belt again.. he is an ex-champion, sells more and has more marketing.”
Why would Lyoto say something like this? Pretty interesting words from a guy who is in the Light Heavyweight contention hunt himself. What makes it even more peculiar to me is that Lyoto is known for fighting with a style fairly damn comparable to the way Forrest beat Rampage; by sticking and moving and out-pointing your opponent. Lyoto up to this point has really not had alot of press exposure. Something tells me these words are going to get him more attention than he bargained for; only problem is it’s the kind of attention that could possibly cost him a working relationship with his boss, Dana White.
Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida has a professional mixed martial arts record of 13-0 with his most recent win being over Tito Ortiz at UFC 84. Personally, I’m a big fan of Machida’s fighting style but he has come under scrutiny from some fighters as well as fans because of his “elusiveness” in the cage.
Editor’s Note: In a recent interview with Cageptato, Lyoto Machida says that his interview with Tatame was “misinterpreted”. Here is his rebuttal:
CP: “It was reported that you thought Quinton Jackson won the fight against Forrest, but the UFC would rather have a champion who Chuck Liddell could beat. Is that accurate?”
LM: “What I said was that in my opinion I thought Quinton Jackson won the fight. In no way was I trying to go against the event, saying that they want Chuck Liddell as the champion. Chuck is a more popular fighter, he sells more, he is an ex-champion, so it is possible that it is his turn at a title shot. A lot of people misinterpreted what I said, saying that what I had said was that the UFC wanted Liddell as the champ. Right now could be his turn at a shot for the belt.”