Lyoto Machida talks about Ryan Bader

Lyoto Machida is in Los Angeles, California, training hard for his bout against Ryan Bader, slated for UFC’s edition of August 4th. On an exclusive interview with TATAME, the former champion analyzed the bout, talked about training on the United States and, among other subjects, about the possibility of being a coach at a Brazilian edition of TUF, against countryman Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, besides commenting on Anderson Silva-Chael Sonnen and Jon Jones-Dan Henderson fights.

Since when you’re here? Are you staying here until your fight?

Well, I came to stay here for a couple of months, but I’m really liking the training here. It’s pretty intense, there’re many guys helping me out here, like Rafael, Johnson, Werdum, Babalu Sobral, so it’s been great for me. I might stay here until my fight so I can be great when the day comes.

You’re training your technique and not focusing on Bader yet, right?

Yeah. We’re on basis trainings, like if I would fight anyone. I’m correcting my Wrestling, improving ground game and also my stand-up. It’s a basic camp for anyone I would fight. I’m waiting for the right moment to intensify my focus training.

He’s very tough, a TUF champion and a great wrestler. Are you focusing on the takedowns? Are you going to try to keep him on the stand-up game?

Of course. I’ll try do it and I’ll be prepared for his attacks. We’re fighting MMA, so I’m supposed to expect him to punch me too. A combination is always possible and I’m getting ready for it but of course I’ll try to block his game the most I can and put my game into action.

You’re coming from a loss to Jon Jones on a title fight and you’re fighting a top 10 guy, who’s coming from a win. Where would you be on the division in case you beat him up?

He’s coming from a win over Quinton Jackson, so I believe a good win and maybe one or two fights would put me on the line for the title. But that’s not my plan. I’m focused on doing a good fight. I’m training here on the United States, which is a new thing for me. I believe that, in case I win, I’ll be closer to the title.

Many people criticized your trainings in Belem and you bringing people over to help you. This time you don’t have to bring people close to you because they are all here already. Roger, Werdum, Ta Danado, Rafael dos Anjos, besides the American wrestlers are here. Does it make a big difference?

Well, I think so. I used to train and on the last 25 days I would call the sparring guys who would mimic that fight for me and help me. But not this time. This time I’m having them besides me from the beginning and they put me on a bad situation every time and they’re the bests at their divisions, like Rafael dos Anjos, Werdum. It’s not that I’m undermining people I’ve always trained with because it’s always worked for me, but I guess going for new things is very important too, especially when you’re on a position like I am in my career and you’re going through what I’ve been going through. I guess it’s a good thing for me.

You don’t fight since November. Is it bad?

It’s both a good and a bad thing. It’s good because we can rethink and we can fix our mistakes better, try to improve, but we lack fighting rhythm. When you fight every three months you’re better conditioned. We try to compensate with training and my recovery for this new bout. I guess it’s all important. It’s not by chance it’s happening to me, that’s how I try to see this. It’s best trying to understand it and see it for what it is.

Jon Jones is defeated Rashad and now he’s fighting Dan Henderson. What are your thoughts about it?

I guess from the moment you get in there, you have a chance. But, if you stop to analyze their games, I guess Jon Jones is not a good fight for Henderson because of his bigger height and reach and Henderson’s style. I guess Jon Jones has more tools, but it doesn’t make impossible for Henderson to win this fight. He proved that because he’s beaten up many tough opponents, many Brazilian fighters, has many titles, like Pride’s, Strikeforce’s and is now fighting for UFC’s. he’s a tough fighter and deserves to be respected, but I guess Jon Jones is better than him technically.

It’s possible you will be a coach at TUF Brazil 2 against Shogun Rua. Who do you like it?

Of course. It’s a great opportunity both for me and Shogun in case it really happens. But now I’m not really thinking about it because it’s not official. No one has approached me to talk about it. It will bring the sport closer to people because it’s broadcasted every Sunday and people watch it and we’ll have a new rematch, a fight everyone wants to see again. Who may win? We want to bring a great show to the fans. It’s very professional. I have nothing personal against him, we’re professional colleges but we’re here to fight each other and see who’s better on that day.

Almost every Brazilian athlete in the UFC has fought in Brazil. Do you have this wish?

Absolutely. I guess it’s a different vibe fighting in front of Brazilians. I was there on the Brazilian’s editions and we could see fans screaming, the crowd crazy about each fight. Despite you’re on a bad place, people root for you all the time. Cane was on a bad situation and people kept on cheering him up. It’s beautiful and I guess everyone wants to go through it and I guess it’s only a matter of time. I’m patience enough to be a part of this. Fighting in Brazil is a consequence of my work.

Anderson is fighting Sonnen now is Las Vegas. What are your thoughts about it?

It’s hard to say because Sonnen dominated the first fight, despite Anderson having been more technical and having defeated him with his technique, but it’s hard to fight him. I have no doubts that Anderson has the technical advantage, but it’s a matter of how you are on that day, a matter of preparation, momentum. Maybe Anderson wasn’t on his best day and I believe Anderson will win. We all know it’s a tough fight, he can’t play him out, but in case Anderson imposes his game on the beginning, Sonnen won’t stand a chance.

Last time you helped Anderson, but this time you didn’t.

Yeah. Last time I was there and they shoot Anderson’s film and I was with him at the time. This time, Anderson is training in Brazil, where I guess he feels better and stronger, so it’s best this way.

Good luck for you on your fight.