Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: Thoughts on potential UFC middleweight contender bout between Lyoto Machida and Luke Rockhold
Dec 26, 2014 - 6:10:31 PM ROUNDTABLE: Thoughts on potential UFC middleweight contender bout between Lyoto Machida and Luke Rockhold

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What are your thoughts on the likely next matchup for Lyoto Machida in Luke Rockhold? Who should be favored in that fight, and why?


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

With Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort and Ronaldo Souza vs. Yoel Romero already set, this is absolutely the right fight to make. As I wrote in my 'Fights to Make' column earlier this week, the winner will be very close to a title shot if they do it convincingly. It's unlikely they get it straight away because Jacare will get there first in he beats Romero. And then there's Anderson Silva. However, either guy would be a deserving contender later in 2015. I have no problem with Machida getting another shot so soon because he's that good.

I was extremely impressed with the way Rockhold handled Michael Bisping. Granted it wasn't the toughest fight he's ever had, but he looked explosive and was in great shape. Machida is the best counter-striker in the sport, but Rockhold can win in multiple ways so I see this being a very close competitive fight. I have to favour Machida, but it would not surprise me in the slightest if Rockhold ends up victorious.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I would favor Rockhold because Machida's history is that of losing to guys he's better than. He's got more talent than the majority of guys in MMA, and he's also so unique that it's hard for guys to gauge him. However, he's also a notoriously slow starter, and is at times so content to sit back and wait that he seems paralyzed by indecision. I'd like to think that his brutal stoppage of C.B. Dollaway was a sign that he's beyond this, but he stopped Rashad Evans, Randy Couture, and Mark Munoz in explosive fashion only to drop the ball in numerous other fights. Obviously, he has a lot more victories than losses, but even in victory Machida has looked bad at times. I think Rockhold is too good in his own right to let Machida grind out a boring decision, and I can't count on Machida to come to fight, so I'm going with Rockhold by a dominating decision of his own. I'm hopeful for a good fight, but I'm thinking it'll have long stretches of boredom.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I'm excited to see this fight; it's two guys who can stand and trade with great form and great chins and really help line up the future of the division as far as the title picture goes. I'm stoked for these two to get in the cage, and I really want to see if Rockhold can give himself some serious footing in the top end of the division and go on to challenge Weidman. He will likely be the underdog, but he's an easy guy to root for. This fight is going to be fantastic.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think it should be Machida, based purely on his skill set on the feet. Rockhold is tough as nails, but Machida is something else. Will be a great fight though.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

The only slight problem I have is Machida is just a fight removed from a unanimous decision loss to Weidman, and if he's to beat Rockhold, do we really want him to go up against the champion again so soon? I prefer to see fresh faces up against the champion before killing everyone off.

I'm sure the fight is going to happen, and depending on where the fight will take place I fancy Rockhold to get the win. Despite his loss to Belfort, he's impressed to no end with first round victories over Costas Philippou and Tim Boetsch, followed up by a second round submission over Michael Bisping. The way he dispatched the very durable Bisping made me sit up and take notice; everything about that performance oozed class.

Rockhold is a huge middleweight; if he can use his height and size advantage, get close to Machida, and get him to the mat, I fancy his chances a lot more than if he's to have a striking battle with "The Dragon."

Machida isn't to be counted out at any point - this is a real 50/50 fight and a very dangerous fight for Rockhold if he's to accept it. His title ambitions could easily be derailed in one swift kick if he isn't careful. We've seen so many times before what Machida is capable of, and even at 36 there's no signs of him slowing down. I'm not convinced Machida has the power to stop Rockhold, though if he uses his footwork and striking to avoid anything Rockhold throws at him he could easily walk away with a unanimous decision win.

The key to victory here might be where the fight would take place. If it's in Brazil, I'd probably slightly favour Machida, anywhere else I think Rockhold gets the job done.


ALVIN CARTER, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

That might be an exciting match up, if you are looking for a kickboxing match that goes to the ground because their techniques nullify each others. If one style wins out it will probably be Machida's, because it is hyper defensive and elusive. Rockhold only has to over-commit and miss one strike for Lyoto to capitalize and get a knock out. Both are Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts, but Rockhold has a strong submission game as of late. This will likely be a flashy Lyoto counterstrike highlight reel, but Rockhold stands a chance if there are some scrambles.

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