Boring

• Tom Hamlin http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8111&zoneid=3
  • "a guy who’s gotten a heap of criticism as the essence of boring."
• Benjamin Zeidler (Lyoto Machida) http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2008/12/4/680234/bloody-elbow-exclusive-lyo
  • LM: Everyone has their own opinion and I really respect that. I am a martial artist, there is a lot of thought and strategy that goes into the way I fight. Give me time and in the future every one will understand my style. It is like jiu-jitsu in the beginning (UFC 1, 2, 3...), it was boring but now it is necessary. If you don’t like it, sorry. I always try to win. For some that is boring, I know, but I am beating the best in the world. After my fights I do not have nothing on my face, no scratches, no bruises. I am like a ghost they can not find me. If that is boring, that is their opinion. But I will be there for long time WINNING. Let everyone underestimate me. I will always be training ready for the next."
• Jake Rossen http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/mail-call-9395
  • I have respect for Machida's record and fighting acumen, but he is the Lunesta of MMA. Put a belt on that guy and watch the arenas evacuate like the Rapture just hit.
• Al Yu http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=6353&zoneid=13
  • Lyoto Machida is an unappreciated fighter.
  • Those who were quick to write-off his performances as “dull” have yet to doubt the validity of his victories.
• Jake Rossen http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/UFC-94-Cast-15949
  • Machida is, to some, the antidote to too much excitement.
• MMAjunkie.com Staff http://mmajunkie.com/news/4417/ufc-84-recap-penn-defends-silva-demolishes-and-machida-ruins-ortizs-farewell-fight.mma
  • his conservative and sometimes-boring style
• Dann Stupp http://mmajunkie.com/news/13273/rich-franklin-open-to-rematch-with-lyoto-machida-tuf-coaching-gig.mma
  • Rich Franklin: "stylistically, Machida is kind of a boring fighter."

Not Fan Favorite

• Jason Probst http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/4/MMA-Fighters-amp-Boxing-Counterparts-Part-3-14731
  • "Machida is not a fan favorite,"
  • "Machida’s hit-and-move style subjects him to a lot more criticism than he deserves."
• Jordan Breen http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/UFC-94-Analysis-On-Prominence-and-Possibility-16017
  • the much-maligned Lyoto Machida, who would've been the choice of few for a "Knockout of the Night" bonus.
• Dann Stupp http://mmajunkie.com/news/13882/quinton-jackson-to-determine-lyoto-machidas-championship-fate.mma
  • Machida's elusive fighting style often drew the ire of fight fans.
• Tim Leidecker http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/someone-has-to-lose-in-battle-of-brazil-15948
  • Unfortunately, he rarely uses those skills to entertain crowds, as he almost always puts effectiveness before aesthetics in his fights.

Too cautious/conservative

• MMAjunkie.com Staff http://mmajunkie.com/news/4417/ufc-84-recap-penn-defends-silva-demolishes-and-machida-ruins-ortizs-farewell-fight.mma
  • his conservative and sometimes-boring style
• Tim Leidecker http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/someone-has-to-lose-in-battle-of-brazil-15948
  • Machida’s defensive tactics have many experts under the impression that he’s too cerebral to finish off shaky opponents

Controversial

• Brian Knapp http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/St-Pierre-Penn-Official-for-UFC-94-16001
  • The polarizing Machida
• MMAjunkie.com Staff http://mmajunkie.com/news/5217/report-thiago-silva-out-of-ufc-89-bout-with-lyoto-machida.mma
  • His often-debated style of attack
• Dann Stupp http://mmajunkie.com/news/13273/rich-franklin-open-to-rematch-with-lyoto-machida-tuf-coaching-gig.mma
  • has been criticized for his sometimes-elusive (though) effective fighting style.

Praise

• Tom Hamlin (Dana White) http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=8111&zoneid=3
  • Dana White: "I think he’s going to be one of the greatest fighters in MMA."
• Dann Stupp http://mmajunkie.com/news/13882/quinton-jackson-to-determine-lyoto-machidas-championship-fate.mma
  • Dana White: "I think he's going to be one of the greatest fighters in MMA,"
• Lotfi Sariahmed http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/Fun-and-Games-Part-of-the-Plan-for-King-Mo-15787
  • Mo Lawal: Lyoto Machida is one of the more athletic fighters I’ve seen and he’ll use his game plan and everything to get the victory.
• Jake Rossen http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/mail-call-9395
  • I have respect for Machida's record and fighting acumen,
• Tim Leidecker http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/someone-has-to-lose-in-battle-of-brazil-15948
  • has become one of the most complete fighters in the game.
• Al Yu http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=6353&zoneid=13
  • Lyoto Machida is an unappreciated fighter.
  • Those who were quick to write-off his performances as “dull” have yet to doubt the validity of his victories.
• Jake Rossen http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/UFC-94-Cast-15949
  • Machida has toppled three current or former UFC champions in three different weight classes. What else does a guy have to do in order to earn a world title shot?
• Dann Stupp http://mmajunkie.com/news/13273/rich-franklin-open-to-rematch-with-lyoto-machida-tuf-coaching-gig.mma
  • Rich Franklin: He's very, very effective. He's good at what he does. He's constantly backing away and forces his opponent into mistakes, and that's how he catches you."
  • has been criticized for his sometimes-elusive (though) effective fighting style.

Elusive/Style Description

• Tomas Rios http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/4/Feuds-Beards-amp-Cameroon-Rule-UFC-79-10564
  • Much of Machida's success is owed to his singular style, which combines various elements from his diverse training background. Perpetually on the defensive, Machida is often content to pick apart his opponents as they come in and then quickly disengage before they can answer with any offense of their own.
• MMAWeekly.com Staff http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=6709&zoneid=13
  • the Brazilian has become a feared prospect at 205 pounds with his elusive style and pinpoint accuracy when striking.
• Al Yu http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=6353&zoneid=13
  • The Shotokan Karate black belt’s style has been known to baffle his opponents, often leaving them flustered.
• Tomas Rios http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/ufc-84-animal-kingdom-starring-sharks-dragons-andsporting-goods-12881
  • a defensive wizard whose technical acumen frustrates opponents into making foolish mistakes.
• Dann Stupp http://mmajunkie.com/news/13882/quinton-jackson-to-determine-lyoto-machidas-championship-fate.mma
  • Machida's elusive fighting style often drew the ire of fight fans.
• Dann Stupp http://mmajunkie.com/news/13273/rich-franklin-open-to-rematch-with-lyoto-machida-tuf-coaching-gig.mma
  • Rich Franklin: He's very, very effective. He's good at what he does. He's constantly backing away and forces his opponent into mistakes, and that's how he catches you."

Surprise

• Jordan Breen http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/UFC-94-Analysis-On-Prominence-and-Possibility-16017
  • the much-maligned Lyoto Machida, who would've been the choice of few for a "Knockout of the Night" bonus.
• Loretta Hunt http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/st-pierre-earns-400k-for-penn-pummeling-16024
  • Lyoto Machida not only managed to keep his undefeated 14-0 record unblemished, but did so in surprising fashion by knocking out Thiago Silva