Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida dominated rising MMA star Remeau Sokoudjou at UFC 79, finishing him in the 4:20 into the second round with an arm triangle. The battle took place Satuday December 3oth at the sold out Mandalay Bay Events Center. The victory brings Machida¹s record to a perfect 12-0. The pair went to the ground after Machida dropped Sokoudjou with a straight left. Machida maintained top control in Sokoudjou¹s half guard. Machida hammered Sokoudjou with a series of elbows and forearms to eventually pass into full mount where he set up the arm triangle to finish him.
The match was a masterful display of Karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu combined in a sequence of technical attacks and counters. Machida who had just recently received his black belt in Shotokan definitely put his Karate skills to work. Beginning in the first round Sokoudjou was unable to engage the elusive Machida. With frustration growing the only significant attack Sokoudjou was able to launch resulted in a takedown in which Machida quickly reversed to gain top control. Machida kept Sokoudjou off balance with the constant pressure of quick round house and front kicks. Machida,s style of stick and move allowed him to control the pace of the fight and come out relatively unscathed.
"We put together a game plan to take Sokoudjou off his game and it worked perfectly. I want to send a clear message that I am a title contender and will fight anybody in the light heavyweight class. I am here for the belt and I plan on systematically working towards that goal. I have great training partners including Anderson Silva, Nino 'Elvis' Schembri, my father Shotokan Master Yoshizo Machida, and my brother Chinzo. I am improving myarsenal constantly." Stated the confident Machida.
Lyoto's manager Ed Sores had this to say about the fight; "There was a lot of hype behind Sokoudjou. People were counting Lyoto out. I kept telling people this was going to be a great match. Styles make fights and these two matched up well. I think this victory proves to everyone that Lyoto is a title contender. Lyoto is going to have a long and successful carrier in MMA."
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