UFC
Lyoto Machida expects to finish C.B. Dollaway in UFC Fight Night 58 main event
Nov 24, 2014 - 10:00:51 PM Lyoto Machida expects to finish C.B. Dollaway in UFC Fight Night 58 main event

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"I was talking to my manager about possible fights, and he said all of those guys had fights scheduled, so there was a chance that I would have to fight Dollaway. He was the best option available based on the UFC ranking, so I kind of expected him to be my next opponent. He's a complete fighter. He has some flaws, of course, but he has a good stand up game, good takedowns and a good ground game. He's a complete fighter, and that makes him dangerous. He hits hard, but I believe I can stop him.

I don't think [it will last five rounds]. I believe I can finish this fight earlier. I'm not underestimating him, but I've learned a lot in my past fights. I have learned a lot in my fight against [Chris] Weidman, so it's likely that I will finish this fight before the fifth round. Whatever it takes. I'm training hard on my grappling skills and my striking, so I want to finish him with a knockout or a submission."

-Lyoto Machida spoke to Guilherme Cruz at MMAFighting.com recently about why he took the C.B. Dollaway fight at UFC Fight Night 58, and why he thinks he'll pick up a stoppage win in that main event fight

Penick's Analysis: Machida's shown on numerous occasions that he's completely capable of finishing fights, though it often depends on what his opponent gives him. He's not one to make mistakes very often, but he can be a bit tentative and inactive if waiting for his opponent to make the first move. It's been one of the criticisms that has stuck over the years, but if Dollaway gives him an opening to finish, it's very possible he takes it. And over a five round fight, there are sure to be opportunities. He needs to take one of them if it comes, and he'll keep himself among the elite in the division.

[Lyoto Machida art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]