UFC 98 Results: Rashad Evans’ reign as UFC light heavyweight champion didn’t last very long, as a new era in the Ultimate Fighting Championship has begun.
In last night’s UFC 98 Results, in front of a packed house at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, “Suga” Rashad Evans was viciously knocked out by Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida at 3:57 of the second round.
Machida, who got his title shot because Quinton Jackson had to undergo surgery, captured the UFC light heavyweight belt in dramatic fashion.
Machida confused Evans, took him out of his game plan and finished him off by absolutely obliterating him.
Machida's so impressive that I’m willing to bet anyone that he will retain the title for a while… he’s that type of fighter. “Karate’s back,” Machida screamed after the win. “I want to keep this belt for a long time.”
Many people called the UFC 98 Results main event boring. I simply say ignorance is bliss.
First of all, let me just say thatcif you can’t appreciate the way Lyoto Mahida goes about his business, you’re certainly watching the wrong sport. This is chess, not checkers!
Not only is Machida a great champion, but he will be here for a very long time. Furthermore, until someone is able to decode is unorthodox style, I simply don’t see anyone in the light heavyweight division taking the belt from him.
The Brazilian dominated the fight from the get-go, keeping Evans honest with kick-punch combinations and avoiding unnecessary punishment.
It was all Machida during the first round. His evasiveness was clearly frustrating Evans and it was only a matter of time before he made a mistake.
Evans, who struggled to stick to his game plan, did a decent job early on. But in the end, patience might have been his downfall, as Machida's methodical once again proved to be deadly.
In the opening stanza, Evans’ strategy was clear: avoid making some of the mistakes others have made against Machida and letting the Brazilian force the action. In the opening minutes, Evans executed it beautifully, despite getting rocked a few times. Machida was the aggressor, landing a big left hand that clearly hurt Evans and backed him into the cage. Nevertheless, Evans survived the first, but definitely lost the round.
In the second, Evans’ game plan went out the window, as he became very impatient and paid the price. As Machida connected with repeated power punches, Evans smiled as if the strikes had little or no affect on him. However, anybody that’s ever been in a ring knows that when a fighter smiles or shakes his head after a blow, it usually means it hurt.
Nearing the end of the second and with the fight being fought at his pace, Machida connected with a straight left that dropped Evans to one knee. That was the beginning of the end for Evans, as Machida jumped all over him and finished him off with a huge left. Just like that, the fight was over as Evans never really got a chance to connect.
“I’m dizzy,” Evans said. “Lyoto came out and was difficult to solve.”
In other UFC 98 Results:
Hughes defeated Serra by Unanimous Decision
Edgar defeated Sherk by Unanimous Decision
Sonnan defeated Miller by Unanimous Decision
McFedries defeated Foupa-Pokam by 1st Round TKO
