Lyoto Machida UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Rampage Jackson Next? The hard work and determination the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Lyoto Machida has displayed throughout his MMA career would suggest that this guy is not only the real deal, but that he will also be around for a long time to come in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

It’s almost hard to believe that even at the climax of his career, “The Dragon” is still not satisfied with where he is.

"Now that I've become champion is when the real work begins," Machida said after the fight, proudly showcasing his UFC championship belt.

"My goal is always to go out there and become a better fighter every time I step into the octagon. Now, with the title, there is even more responsibility to do that."

What many people fail to acknowledge is that Machida, who’s still relatively a newcomer to the UFC, has already beaten the biggest names in MMA history.

Some of his most prominent victims include: B.J. Penn (U.D.), Stephan Bonnar (T.K.O.), Rich Franklin (T.K.O.), Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (Submission), Tito Ortiz (U.D.), Thiago Silva (K.O.), and now Rashad Evans (K.O.)… and here’s the best part folks: the man is still undefeated!

In fact, in his 7 fights in the Octagon, Machida is yet to lose a single round! Now, that’s 17 rounds in total, without a misstep, folks.

Now, whether or not you like his style of fighting, or if you think he is a boring fighter is irrelevant. Especially when you see a guy that has taken on a list of fighters like the aforementioned. Furthermore, for Machida to still be undefeated says a lot about the guy. No one can dispute that, period.

"I'll go back home, my father will analyze the tapes with my brothers and see the mistakes that I've made, and (I'll) try to improve," Machida said.

Now, that statement right there is exactly what separates the good ones from the great ones. The Mark Jacksons from the Michael Jordans, the Phil Mickelsons from the Tiger Woods.

"We've always thought (Machida was great)," UFC President Dana White said. "We bought the (World Fighting Alliance) to acquire his contract and (Quinton) 'Rampage' (Jackson's). We've always thought this kid was talented.

"Usually what happens, guys get into the UFC and start to feel comfortable. I knew it was going to be scary once he started feeling comfortable."

Comfortable? Look out world, because the Machida Era has just begun in the UFC. And it won’t take long before the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion is tested, as Quinton "Rampage" Jackson is next in line. "For every fighter I have a different strategy in my training because every fighter has different weaknesses," Machida said. "My goal is to study (Jackson's) weaknesses and try to capitalize off his mistakes."

"It's just it's really hard to match-up with Machida karate," Machida said. "That's my base. Some guys have a base in jiu-jitsu; some guys have a base in Muay-Thai. My base is in Machida karate, and it's a difficult style to understand."

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