"Karate Ni Sente Nashi"

Mawashi-geri

Lyoto Machida vs. David Heath

UFC 70 - April 21, 2007

custom tee

January 31, 2009: Lyoto Machida (13-0) vs. Thiago Silva (13-0) at UFC 94.

Worth a watch if you want to get a sense of how Lyoto Machida applies Karate to a Mixed Martial Arts arena. These fighters are an equal match up on paper, and the result is a great example of Muy Thai vs. Karate / Aggression vs. Patience / Power vs. Speed.

If you’re going to watch this in HD (720p) you might want to let it load for a few minutes.

Lyoto Machida - the only true Shotokan practitioner in the UFC.

In my opinion, he is a great example of how to apply Shotokan to a mixed martial arts platform. In reality though, karate was never intended for fighting competition. Karate was created for the sole purpose of self defense.

I have to wonder if Master Funakoshi is rolling over in his grave…

Demonstration of Kuzushi-waza by Enoeda Sensei compared to application of the technique by Lyoto Machida in the UFC.

Comparison video I put together awhile back.

This is the mae-tobi-geri (jumping front kick) from the kata Kanku-dai.

I’m proud for a karate-ka to have held the belt.

From left to right, Take Machida, Lyoto Machida, Chinzo Machida with father Yoshizo Machida in front.

Yoshizo Machida and son Lyoto Machida

Machida family - then and now

(via rozuken)