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To play devils advocate. You say he relies on reflexes which is one of the things that tend to fade fast in your 30s and Machida is 39 now. Also, I think Machidas has really bad punching power at middle weight. He hit Weidman clean several times with full power without Weidman even flinching basicly. I'd certainly agree that Brunson has a bunch of defensive flaws but I dont see Machida being able to take advantage at this stage of his career.
Fair enough. I kind of thought that after I wrote it. . Reflexes will play a significant part but I guess my point was that Machida has never been a super athlete or a fighter who requires one major athleticism like a Roy Jones Jr.. Instead he is more about timing and setting traps, more like a Bernard Hopkins who fought successfully into his late 40s. Indeed, Machida’s historically been a fighter who lays back in the cut and waits for his opponent to get frustrated and then run into a flamethrower. Just like what happened with Rashad Evans and Ryan Bader.
And we seen Derek do this exact same thing when he faced off against Robert Whittaker. What’s more, I believe Machida has just as much left in the tank is Anderson Silva — if not more — and DB was so tentative to engage there. Ergo, I believe he may get over aggressive this time searching for a definitive finish and get smoked.
Additionally, I think the two years away my do Machida some good considering that he had lost three of his last four and his brain needed a rest. He has been in the gym honing his skills at the highest levels and getting his mind right. Plus putting together new techniques and letting his body rest. This could be a vintage performance from Machid; kind of when Dominick Cruz came back and ran through Miz like a hot knife through butter