Josh vs. Lyoto Machida vs. Rua 2

This past Saturday I got to witness the destruction of my favorite fighter, Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida, at the hands of one Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. It was rather depressing for me because I am probably the biggest Machida nuthugger this side of Belém, Brazil. The fight was over rather quickly with Rua landing the overhand right and then beating Machida into sleep from the full mount position. Exciting for the fans, I'm sure. Shitty for me, no doubt. The problem was that Machida actually looked human for the first time in 16 fights. Prior to this, I was wondering if anyone had the ability to give him a challenge. Clearly, Rua was game to answer that question.

So, what's next for the mighty Dragon? Is it back to the drawing board? Might he need to add elements of Muay Thai to his Shotokan base? Who knows, I am not Machida and I don't know what went wrong for him during that fight. I do know that he looked rather impressive with his take-downs prior to having been put to sleep but he couldn't seem to mount any offense from the top position. I would think that this is something he ought to work on if he wants to make another run at the title. I don't think he's done by any stretch of the imagination but Rua seems to be his kryptonite.

Moving on to that punk bitch Paul Daley. This asshole goes and loses a one-sided affair to Josh Koscheck and then punches him in the face after the fight is over. To be fair to Daley, it was the only clean shot he landed the entire fight, but it was still a chicken shit maneuver on his part. Daley, without much speculation otherwise, was immediately released from the UFC and Dana White said he would never fight for the organization ever again. This is not, however, the first time an individual has show completely classless behavior after a frustrating defeat. There's the famous Blount incident following Oregon's defeat at the hands of Boise St. There's the Heath Herring-Nakao incident at the New Years Eve K-1 Dynamite show. Lastly, who could forget the famous fight at the Palace of Auburn Hills with Ron-Ron and Stephen Jackson?

My point being here is that these athletes have the opportunity to do something that few individuals ever get to do, and that's making a living competing in the sport they love. I wish I had the physical tools to compete at the highest level but, alas, I do not. I understand frustrations following defeats but it's a part of the game. Unless you're the UConn women, nobody should expect to win them all. You have to take your defeats like you take your wins, with class and dignity. I grow real tired of the jackassery in professional athlete's conduct. Be thankful you were afforded the luxury of such a career.