Is Tonight Machida’s Last Stand?

After a long career with many ups and downs, including once being considered as one of the top pound for pound fighters in the world, it all may be over for Lyoto Machida after tonight as he takes on Derek Brunson in the FS1 Fight Night main event.

Machida was an undefeated World Champion in the UFC Light Heavyweight Division as recently as of May of 2010.  No one could touch his Karate style or figure it out, which led to a 16-0 record.  It would all come crashing down on the strength of one right hand from Shogun Rua.

The loss resulted in his title being taken away, and he has never been the same as that once magical style of his, is now pedestrian.  Since being 16-0 and champion, Machida has gone 6 and 7 and looked like a shell of himself.  He failed to adapt and the results have proven that.  He hasn’t won a match since 2014 and hasn’t competed in the cage since June of 2015.  A brutal knockout loss to Yoel Romero.

The man looking to put Machida out of the sport for good tonight is Derek Brunson.  He bounced back from a robbery loss by the judges to Anderson Silva, to knockout Dan Kelly in brutal fashion back in June in the first round.

Brunson is a hungry up and comer currently ranked 7^th in the UFC Light Heavyweight Standings.  At 17-5 he is one big win away from cracking the top five in the division, Saturday night in Brazil can be, and I believe will be his night.

It is a loaded main card with six main big fights on it.

Here are my full picks below.

 

Jon Linekar vs Marlon Vera – Linekar                           EM Picks = Linekar 

Thiago Santos vs Jack Hermansson – Hermansson  EM Picks = Hermansson

Francisco Trinaldo vs Jim Miller – Trinaldo               EM Picks = Miller

Pedro Munhoz vs Rob Font – Munhoz                           EM Picks = Font

Demian Maia vs Colby Covington – Maia                      EM Picks = Covington 

Derek Brunson vs Lyoto Machida – Brunson              EM Picks = Brunson