How to Beat Lyoto Machida

First off, let me preface by saying that I think Machida is an immensely talented fighter and humble human being. He’s 13-0-0 in his professional fighting career, and makes everyone he fights look bad. Yes, he is awkward and difficult to watch at times, but nobody can dispute the effectiveness of his fighting style. If the goal of combat is to do as much damage as possible while taking as little as possible, Lyoto should be considered among the best. As good as he is, I think there are a few aspects of his game that can be exploited.

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Jiu-jitsu Adapted for Rugby

The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are a professional rugby team from Sydney that have been training with Marcelo Rezende, black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. According to this artlcle on The Manly Daily, the training has improved their wrestling and ground control, and has yielded measurable results.

Rezende is a former Pan American champ, and set up the Gracie Barra in Australia. He’s taught a few other teams including the Sydney Roosters and the Brumbies, also from Australia.

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Strength Training

I came across this article on strength training by Ross Enamait discussing strength training and theories on fast/slow twitch muscle development. Ross teaches training methods appropriate for fighters as opposed to the type of weight training that bodybuilders practice.

The gist of it is that strength training is the development of strength with the use of resistance. It’s a myth that lifting weights is an incorrect way to develop strength for combat athletes. Rather, it’s the way you train that can affect your results regardless whether you lift weights or use body weight.

Ross defines four types of strength:

• Maximal Strength - maximum force output under voluntary effort
• Explosive Strength - maximal forces in minimal times
• Speed Strength - quick execution of unloaded movement
• Strength Endurance - maintaining muscular function under stress over time

This video shows Georges St-Pierre, Denis Kang, and David Louiseau doing strength training in a balanced way. Notice that the coach in the video emphasizes that muscle contractions are always done as quickly as possible in an explosive manner, then he slows them down on the negative.

Also, check this video out for some training ideas to develop explosive power and speed:

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