UFC 140: Is Lyoto Machida the one to test Jon Jones?

Can Lyoto Machida provide that answer? If the karate-based fighter represents one thing Jon Jones hasn’t seen before it’s that he’s different. His style is unorthodox and he’s the first southpaw Jones will face under the UFC banner. He’s also had the luxury of a longtime gym relationship with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, who is probably one of the best sparring partners one could ask for in trying to prepare for Jones.

His karate background featured a few other duels with rangy opponents; however, Machida said the impact that has is minimal due to the differences between strict karate and MMA. Two years ago, Machida built a reputation as possibly the most difficult fighter in UFC history to hit. That mystique has been unveiled as of late, prompting some to suggest the Machida riddle has been solved.

In his first seven fights, Machida’s significant strike defense was a UFC-best 26.4 percent. In his last three bouts, however, that rate has risen to 48 percent. Jones believes those numbers are due to a change in Machida’s style more than the idea opponents have figured him out.

“When he started, he was way more elusive,” Jones said. “Now, he engages a lot more. He likes to fight a little bit more. Maybe he gave into criticism a little bit. A lot of people said, ‘Oh, he’s boring.’ Or maybe he just believed he needed to change his style, who knows?”

Unless Machida has fooled us all, it doesn’t sound as though he’s planned to necessarily change anything for this particular matchup against Jones. If anything, the word from his camp is that he’s more elusive than ever. Rather than try and fight offense with offense, it appears Machida still trusts the style that saw him to a 16-fight win streak and the UFC title in 2009.

“Jon Jones is an incredible athlete, but I believe in what I study, in what I train and my technique,” Machida said. “I did notice some things he has done wrong and that, maybe, some of his other opponents didn’t catch on to.”

Jones has made it look easy against some of the most talented 205-pound fighters in the world. In his mind, a fight is based solely on what he does — not his opponent. Machida built his career around the same mentality. Whether or not that helps him become the first to truly challenge Jones is unknown. If not, looks like Gusmao will remain the toughest outing on Jones’ résumé.

via Is Lyoto Machida the one to test Jon Jones? – Mixed Martial Arts Blog – ESPN.