Comments on: Lyoto Machida – Karate Fighter in the UFC http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/lyoto-machida-karate-fighter-in-the-ufc/ Ikigai - exploring traditional karate and martial arts. A karate and martial arts blog that explores theory, philosophy, technique, and more. Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:17:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: swash http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/lyoto-machida-karate-fighter-in-the-ufc/comment-page-1/#comment-8443 swash Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:05:56 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=1958#comment-8443 @shoshin913: I totally agree with you with the Karate basics as being framework to actual fighting. When I said point-system Karate, I actually meant the traditional point-karate, not the WKF style. And I believe that's what Machida practices. I actually hate seeing young Karatekas in WKF-style tournament turn their backs on the enemy when they get a point and shout their lungs out like they won a lottery. They don't teach that in traditional Karate. And they claim to be the expert in Karate when they can't even perform a basic Kata properly. It's sad though coz as you have mentioned, many Karate schools nowadays don't teach the traditional Karate. Most schools nowadays skip the basics and go directly to point-system fighting. @shoshin913: I totally agree with you with the Karate basics as being framework to actual fighting. When I said point-system Karate, I actually meant the traditional point-karate, not the WKF style. And I believe that's what Machida practices. I actually hate seeing young Karatekas in WKF-style tournament turn their backs on the enemy when they get a point and shout their lungs out like they won a lottery. They don't teach that in traditional Karate. And they claim to be the expert in Karate when they can't even perform a basic Kata properly. It's sad though coz as you have mentioned, many Karate schools nowadays don't teach the traditional Karate. Most schools nowadays skip the basics and go directly to point-system fighting.

]]> By: shoshin913 http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/lyoto-machida-karate-fighter-in-the-ufc/comment-page-1/#comment-8125 shoshin913 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:59:34 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=1958#comment-8125 Not sure what background people have here but perfect Zenkutsu Dachi is only for basics (kihon) and is a framework for actual fighting. The stances are just tools to teach you the proper way to keep balance and transfer power in your strikes, they are not suppose to be perfect form in actual fighting. This is the misconception that people have that Karate doesn't work or is out dated. They think that you have to have perfect stances and use these hard blocks for it to be Karate but I see MMA fighters who have no background in Karate and when they throw a straight punch (Choku Zuki) they are in a pretty good front stance ( Zenkutsu Dachi ) because it is just good mechanics. That is what Karate teaches good mechanics. Where does point fighting originate from? Traditional Karate! You cannot have point fighting unless the traditional Karate was there first. Real Karate tournaments have kata comps so all those stances and blocks are used. They may not be used literally in fighting but again Karate is a framework for you to build a fighting style you can adapt for yourself not a set rigid rule of block punch in perfect Karate stances. They only do that for lower ranks to teach them good mechanics, technique and how to generate power but most people do not take their Karate far enough. Black belt is where you start to really learn! Lyoto Machida is a traditional Shotokan Karate fighter who has taken it to the level of being extremely effective. The higher level Karateka know this but the masses who either have poor teachers or only focus on tournament point sparing loose sight of what real Shotokan is and that is a fighting art. It does have its holes as far as groundwork goes but the framework is there for an excellent striking art. Not all Shotokan people are good fighters either so please don’t take my going on as being this is the style that turns Clark Kent into Superman. It is all up to the individual. Just like a pro football training camp. The average guy can go through a pro football and yes defiantly improve their skills but that doesn’t mean they can play at pro football level. Not sure what background people have here but perfect Zenkutsu Dachi is only for basics (kihon) and is a framework for actual fighting. The stances are just tools to teach you the proper way to keep balance and transfer power in your strikes, they are not suppose to be perfect form in actual fighting. This is the misconception that people have that Karate doesn't work or is out dated. They think that you have to have perfect stances and use these hard blocks for it to be Karate but I see MMA fighters who have no background in Karate and when they throw a straight punch (Choku Zuki) they are in a pretty good front stance ( Zenkutsu Dachi ) because it is just good mechanics. That is what Karate teaches good mechanics. Where does point fighting originate from? Traditional Karate! You cannot have point fighting unless the traditional Karate was there first. Real Karate tournaments have kata comps so all those stances and blocks are used. They may not be used literally in fighting but again Karate is a framework for you to build a fighting style you can adapt for yourself not a set rigid rule of block punch in perfect Karate stances. They only do that for lower ranks to teach them good mechanics, technique and how to generate power but most people do not take their Karate far enough. Black belt is where you start to really learn! Lyoto Machida is a traditional Shotokan Karate fighter who has taken it to the level of being extremely effective. The higher level Karateka know this but the masses who either have poor teachers or only focus on tournament point sparing loose sight of what real Shotokan is and that is a fighting art. It does have its holes as far as groundwork goes but the framework is there for an excellent striking art. Not all Shotokan people are good fighters either so please don’t take my going on as being this is the style that turns Clark Kent into Superman. It is all up to the individual. Just like a pro football training camp. The average guy can go through a pro football and yes defiantly improve their skills but that doesn’t mean they can play at pro football level.

]]> By: shoshin913 http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/lyoto-machida-karate-fighter-in-the-ufc/comment-page-1/#comment-7530 shoshin913 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:59:34 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=1958#comment-7530 Not sure what background people have here but perfect Zenkutsu Dachi is only for basics (kihon) and is a framework for actual fighting. The stances are just tools to teach you the proper way to keep balance and transfer power in your strikes, they are not suppose to be perfect form in actual fighting. This is the misconception that people have that Karate doesn't work or is out dated. They think that you have to have perfect stances and use these hard blocks for it to be Karate but I see MMA fighters who have no background in Karate and when they throw a straight punch (Choku Zuki) they are in a pretty good front stance ( Zenkutsu Dachi ) because it is just good mechanics. That is what Karate teaches good mechanics. Where does point fighting originate from? Traditional Karate! You cannot have point fighting unless the traditional Karate was there first. Real Karate tournaments have kata comps so all those stances and blocks are used. They may not be used literally in fighting but again Karate is a framework for you to build a fighting style you can adapt for yourself not a set rigid rule of block punch in perfect Karate stances. They only do that for lower ranks to teach them good mechanics, technique and how to generate power but most people do not take their Karate far enough. Black belt is where you start to really learn! Lyoto Machida is a traditional Shotokan Karate fighter who has taken it to the level of being extremely effective. The higher level Karateka know this but the masses who either have poor teachers or only focus on tournament point sparing loose sight of what real Shotokan is and that is a fighting art. It does have its holes as far as groundwork goes but the framework is there for an excellent striking art. Not all Shotokan people are good fighters either so please don’t take my going on as being this is the style that turns Clark Kent into Superman. It is all up to the individual. Just like a pro football training camp. The average guy can go through a pro football and yes defiantly improve their skills but that doesn’t mean they can play at pro football level. Not sure what background people have here but perfect Zenkutsu Dachi is only for basics (kihon) and is a framework for actual fighting. The stances are just tools to teach you the proper way to keep balance and transfer power in your strikes, they are not suppose to be perfect form in actual fighting. This is the misconception that people have that Karate doesn't work or is out dated. They think that you have to have perfect stances and use these hard blocks for it to be Karate but I see MMA fighters who have no background in Karate and when they throw a straight punch (Choku Zuki) they are in a pretty good front stance ( Zenkutsu Dachi ) because it is just good mechanics. That is what Karate teaches good mechanics. Where does point fighting originate from? Traditional Karate! You cannot have point fighting unless the traditional Karate was there first. Real Karate tournaments have kata comps so all those stances and blocks are used. They may not be used literally in fighting but again Karate is a framework for you to build a fighting style you can adapt for yourself not a set rigid rule of block punch in perfect Karate stances. They only do that for lower ranks to teach them good mechanics, technique and how to generate power but most people do not take their Karate far enough. Black belt is where you start to really learn! Lyoto Machida is a traditional Shotokan Karate fighter who has taken it to the level of being extremely effective. The higher level Karateka know this but the masses who either have poor teachers or only focus on tournament point sparing loose sight of what real Shotokan is and that is a fighting art. It does have its holes as far as groundwork goes but the framework is there for an excellent striking art. Not all Shotokan people are good fighters either so please don’t take my going on as being this is the style that turns Clark Kent into Superman. It is all up to the individual. Just like a pro football training camp. The average guy can go through a pro football and yes defiantly improve their skills but that doesn’t mean they can play at pro football level.

]]> By: Vitor Belfort Keeps Karate Love Alive in UFC 103 | Ikigai | Blogging the Martial Way http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/lyoto-machida-karate-fighter-in-the-ufc/comment-page-1/#comment-7469 Vitor Belfort Keeps Karate Love Alive in UFC 103 | Ikigai | Blogging the Martial Way Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:07:22 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=1958#comment-7469 [...] couple of months ago I wrote a post about Lyoto Machida, wherein I explained my fanhood for him, and how it wasn’t just me – Machida’s [...] [...] couple of months ago I wrote a post about Lyoto Machida, wherein I explained my fanhood for him, and how it wasn’t just me – Machida’s [...]

]]> By: nameless one http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/lyoto-machida-karate-fighter-in-the-ufc/comment-page-1/#comment-7216 nameless one Sun, 13 Sep 2009 06:00:53 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=1958#comment-7216 as far as Machida's typical stance goes... zenkutsu-dachi has the rear leg locked. Machida has his rear leg slightly bent, which would be the fudo-dachi. as far as Machida's typical stance goes… zenkutsu-dachi has the rear leg locked. Machida has his rear leg slightly bent, which would be the fudo-dachi.

]]> By: Sweet_Home_Improvement http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/lyoto-machida-karate-fighter-in-the-ufc/comment-page-1/#comment-7052 Sweet_Home_Improvement Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:49:51 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=1958#comment-7052 What a useful post here. Very informative for me..TQ friends...<br><br>Cheers,<br><a href="http://sweethomeimprove.com" rel="nofollow">sweethomeimprove.com</a> What a useful post here. Very informative for me..TQ friends…

Cheers,
sweethomeimprove.com

]]> By: UFC 101 - Anderson Silva Wins in Jaw Dropping Fashion | Ikigai | Blogging the Martial Way http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/lyoto-machida-karate-fighter-in-the-ufc/comment-page-1/#comment-6937 UFC 101 - Anderson Silva Wins in Jaw Dropping Fashion | Ikigai | Blogging the Martial Way Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:26:48 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=1958#comment-6937 [...] long time readers out there, you’ll know that I am a big fanboy for two UFC fighters – Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva. This last fight, which took place at UFC 101 in Philadelphia, was another [...] [...] long time readers out there, you’ll know that I am a big fanboy for two UFC fighters – Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva. This last fight, which took place at UFC 101 in Philadelphia, was another [...]

]]> By: swash http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/lyoto-machida-karate-fighter-in-the-ufc/comment-page-1/#comment-6606 swash Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:48:36 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=1958#comment-6606 Just found out about Machida recently, after reading so many article about him and his traditional Shotokan karate. I thought they were all just hype coz i never really thought that Shotokan karate could have its place in MMA. Ive always thought that the only good point a Shotokan karateka could use in MMA is its speed and accuracy, but not its power and stamina. I practice shotokan for almost 20 years, and I used to be a big fan of MMA. I am still a fan, but rarely have the time to watch coz of work. But after watching Machida's 3 recent fights (ortiz, silva and evans), it made me really proud that i did Shotokan karate. <br><br>Machida's not using the traditional Shotokan as what many believes or thinks (i.e., endless stradle-leg stance punching, katas, Sanbom kumite, outside/inside blocks etc..). It's his Shotokan point-system karate that he's been using effectively. Of course its also because of his additional knowledge in BJJ, judo, sumo, muay that makes him really effective but i would say that 70% of his moves are Shotokan point-system karate. His stance, the way he positions his hands for reverse and lunge punch, the way he uses sweeps (no they are NOT judo) while attacking, his floating round-house kicks, the way he raises his legs first before flipping it for a round-house kick (less telegraphing), the way he closes in and grabs the opponent after missing a punch and does a sweep and quick takedown (again its not judo, they do that all the time in point-system karate to get a full-point), the way he lunges for a quick straight and backs out laterally, and so on.. I could go on and on. Any karateka who've been doing point-system karate could instantly recognize them. <br><br>Most of his kills are either boxing or muay (and bjj when in ground), but most of his strikes that lead to his kills are definitely Shotokan point-system karate. Most evident is his first knockdown of Rashad. His takedowns and kicks of tito are definitely karate. His first two knockouts of thiago are all straight punches of karate. Just found out about Machida recently, after reading so many article about him and his traditional Shotokan karate. I thought they were all just hype coz i never really thought that Shotokan karate could have its place in MMA. Ive always thought that the only good point a Shotokan karateka could use in MMA is its speed and accuracy, but not its power and stamina. I practice shotokan for almost 20 years, and I used to be a big fan of MMA. I am still a fan, but rarely have the time to watch coz of work. But after watching Machida's 3 recent fights (ortiz, silva and evans), it made me really proud that i did Shotokan karate.

Machida's not using the traditional Shotokan as what many believes or thinks (i.e., endless stradle-leg stance punching, katas, Sanbom kumite, outside/inside blocks etc..). It's his Shotokan point-system karate that he's been using effectively. Of course its also because of his additional knowledge in BJJ, judo, sumo, muay that makes him really effective but i would say that 70% of his moves are Shotokan point-system karate. His stance, the way he positions his hands for reverse and lunge punch, the way he uses sweeps (no they are NOT judo) while attacking, his floating round-house kicks, the way he raises his legs first before flipping it for a round-house kick (less telegraphing), the way he closes in and grabs the opponent after missing a punch and does a sweep and quick takedown (again its not judo, they do that all the time in point-system karate to get a full-point), the way he lunges for a quick straight and backs out laterally, and so on.. I could go on and on. Any karateka who've been doing point-system karate could instantly recognize them.

Most of his kills are either boxing or muay (and bjj when in ground), but most of his strikes that lead to his kills are definitely Shotokan point-system karate. Most evident is his first knockdown of Rashad. His takedowns and kicks of tito are definitely karate. His first two knockouts of thiago are all straight punches of karate.

]]> By: Matt__A http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/lyoto-machida-karate-fighter-in-the-ufc/comment-page-1/#comment-6491 Matt__A Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:44:01 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=1958#comment-6491 Yea I definitely made sure to point out in my post above that BJJ is a big factor in Machida's style and that he uses a very well-rounded mindset. Yea I definitely made sure to point out in my post above that BJJ is a big factor in Machida's style and that he uses a very well-rounded mindset.

]]> By: Stevebjj http://www.ikigaiway.com/2009/lyoto-machida-karate-fighter-in-the-ufc/comment-page-1/#comment-6489 Stevebjj Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:22:18 +0000 http://www.ikigaiway.com/?p=1958#comment-6489 This is an interesting point. I think that Machida has the additional advantage of being unique in the UFC. If I'm preparing to fight a strong wrestler, I will train with other strong wrestlers so that I can develop a workable strategy. There aren't any really strong Shotokan competitors around with whom to spar... at least at that level of competition. He's unique. So, you can try to bring in a Shotokan guy, but then add a skilled Shotokan karateka who is also a strong submission grappler... and a BJJ black belt, and an elite sumo wrestler. <br><br>He definitely flumoxes his opponents, but it's the entire package that does so. I am a big fan, and hope that things in MMA open back up to other unique individuals who have trained hard to perfect their craft. This is an interesting point. I think that Machida has the additional advantage of being unique in the UFC. If I'm preparing to fight a strong wrestler, I will train with other strong wrestlers so that I can develop a workable strategy. There aren't any really strong Shotokan competitors around with whom to spar… at least at that level of competition. He's unique. So, you can try to bring in a Shotokan guy, but then add a skilled Shotokan karateka who is also a strong submission grappler… and a BJJ black belt, and an elite sumo wrestler.

He definitely flumoxes his opponents, but it's the entire package that does so. I am a big fan, and hope that things in MMA open back up to other unique individuals who have trained hard to perfect their craft.

]]>