Ryoto Machida the fighter you should know about

[DUCE]

;D
www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?fighterID=7513

Ryoto Machida
6-0
Height 6'1 (185cm)
Weight 215lbs (98kg)
Signed with K-1 MMA & Inoki Jungle fights "Inoki Bom-bae-yae"
Key victories
BJ PENN and Rich Franklin

[DUCE]

Makes his professional MMA debut at the 'New Japan Pro Wrestling - Ultimate Crush' event and wins a unanimous decision over Kengo Watanabe
Scores a TKO victory (due to a cut) over Stephan Bonnar at the 'Jungle Fight 1' event
Secures a TKO victory over undefeated UFC light heavyweight contender Rich Franklin at the 'Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2003' event
Submits K-1 kickboxing star Michael McDonald at the 'K-1 Beast 2004' event
Wins a split decision over K-1 competitor Sam Greco at the 'K-1: Romanex' event
Earns a unanimous decision victory over B.J. Penn at the 'K-1-Hero's 1' event
Striking - Although Ryoto has a limited amount of MMA experience, it appears as though his striking abilities are his strongest weapon. His punches seem to possess a tremendous amount of power and his Muay Thai skills are adequate. Ryoto is a southpaw who fights out of a side stance, which is understandable considering his Karate background. It is not uncommon to see Ryoto attempt spinning back kicks during his matches, which can also be attributed to his Karate background.

In addition to his Muay Thai training in Thailand and his training at the NJPW Dojo in Japan, Ryoto has trained extensively with Wallid Ismail in the U.S. as well as with Frank Trigg and the RAW Team.

Grappling - Although Ryoto has yet to win-over a majority of the MMA fans with his grappling abilities, he has shown good ground skills and always seeks to improve his positioning when the fight goes to the mat. Ryoto has displayed good takedown skills as well as the ability to defend the takedown. Ryoto has trained with the likes of Rico Chiapparelli to improve his wrestling skills as well as with Renato 'Babalu' Sobral and Rey Diogo.

Submission - To date, Ryoto holds only one submission victory, and that is over an extremely inexperienced opponent who is primarily a kickboxer. Ryoto presently holds a purple belt in BJJ and has trained extensively under Master Alexei Cruz and Wallid Ismail. Unfortunately, no matter what belt Ryoto holds, it will make little difference until he can prove his ability to utilize his BJJ skills during an actual MMA match against a skilled ground fighting opponent.

Strengths - Heart, tenacity, and powerful striking abilities. Ryoto is a southpaw striker who possesses a tremendous amount of power in his punches and kicks, both of which can knockout an opponent at any time. Although Ryoto has yet to fully prove his ground skills, he does seem to be a well-rounded fighter with good conditioning.

Weaknesses - Inexperience against top competition and inactivity. Ryoto needs to test himself by facing legitimate MMA competitors rather than K-1 competitors attempting to make the transition to MMA. Ryoto also needs to compete more often. He is presently coming off of an extended period of inactivity and has only competed once in the past year.

Another cause for concern may be the fact that Ryoto has a tendency to revert to a karate side stance while competing in MMA competition. With such an extensive background in Shotokan Karate it's understandable, but the traditional karate side stance has proven to be somewhat risky in MMA competition due to the fact that it increased the likelihood of an opponent obtaining a single leg takedown. In Ryoto's defense, he does appear to have very good balance and good takedown defense.

Conclusion - Ryoto Machida is the third of four sons to Sensei Yoshizo Machida. Ryoto grew up in the Amazon regions of Brazil and his family lived above the dojo in which his father taught. Ryoto's father, Yoshizo Machida, holds the ranking of 7th Dan and is one of the highest graduates of the Karate-Do system in Brazil. Naturally, Ryoto became involved in martial arts at an early age.

At the age of 4, Ryoto began training with his father in Shotokan Karate. At the age of 9, Ryoto would begin training in amateur Sumo and by the age of 15, Ryoto would begin training in Jiu-Jitsu with Master Alexei Cruz. Ryoto presently holds a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Growing up, Ryoto competed in a broad range of competitions including KATA, Kumite, Jiu-Jitsu, and Sumo competitions. Two notable accomplishments of Ryoto prior to his MMA involvement would have to be his placing second in a 2000 amateur Sumo tournament (in the 115kg division) as well as his first place finishing at the 2001 Pan American Karate Championships.

During his sophomore year of college, Ryoto was introduced to japanese pro wrestling legend, Antonio Inoki. Shortly after receiving his teaching degree in 2000, Ryoto would begin training under the guidance of Antonio Inoki. He first went to Thailand where he trained inMuay Thai, then to Japan to train at the NJPW Dojo, and finally to the United States where he would live and train with Wallid Ismail.

In May of 2003, Ryoto would finally make his MMA debut against a Pancrase competitor by the name of Kengo Watanabe at the 'NJPW: Ultimate Crush' event. This was New Japan's first ever vale tudo match and Ryoto would emerge victorious by way of a unanimous decision. Ryoto would then go on to compete for several different promotions, including Jungle Fight, Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye, and K-1, where he would secure victories over notable opponents such as Stephan Bonnar, Rich Franklin, Michael McDonald, Sam Greco, and BJ Penn.


Prepared by Jim Cryan

[Rod Munchkin]

I've only read about him. Anyone see his fights?

[CP]

Machida has a lot of promise, and beaten some good fighters even though he did outweight them. There are rumors that he has left the Inoki Office due to frustrations that they can't get him booked for fights in PRIDE and K-1 HERO's (he is good enough to get a nice payday) and is training with Chute Boxe Academy.

[DUCE]

Look for him to do big things in the future.

[Magog1]

Damn this guy seems like a real demon. Heh and hear I thought Pride had everyone at the top of the good chain. I wonder if he'll stay where he's at for long? (hopping he defects to either the UFC or Pride soon).

[DUCE]

I wouldn't be surprized if we saw him in UFC in a rematch with Franklin late next year.

[DUCE]

Machida should be good for the states. Think that prediction was off tho.

[DUCE]

Rumor--
Rampage vs.Lyoto is looking like it might be a go if WFA sticks around.

[habbalah]

Hmmmm poor match up for page.

[Darth Turkish]

Why is Rampage fighting all of these guys he outweighs?

If Lindland or Machido walka around at 195/ 200 or so, 'Page easily walks around at 225 or 230.

He needs to fight more LHW contenders.

[habbalah]

Well going from his veiws at pride, he wants to fight people he can slam. Lighter people seem easier to slam. He doesnt' want to go any where near heavy weight... so I guess this is what he's shooting for.