The Davis win was very controversial (most of us had Machida winning that). He also beat Shogun (also controversial, but still), a 48 year old Randy Couture (not nearly as old as you're trying to make it sound, plus dude held more titles than God), Rashad Evans (didn't take him seriously? Who wouldn't take an undefeated fighter who hadn't lost a single round at that point seriously?), Sokoudjou (back when he'd just KO'd two Pride legends and top-10 LHW fighters), Tito Ortiz (former LHW champ), BJ Penn (back when he was fighting everyone in every weight class), Rich Franklin (former MW champ, gave him his first loss), Thiago Silva (brawler who'd be a contender if he could ever get his life straight), Ryan Bader (hard hitting wrestler who has only ever lost to the best), Mark Munoz (top-10 MW), Dan Henderson (constant top-10 LHW with recent wins over Shogun and Fedor, as well as Strikeforce champ when they folded), and Gegard Mousassi (HIGHLY underrated fighter who, prior to Machida, had only lost once in the last eight years).
Who else is left in the UFC MW division that even comes close? Machida is a former LHW champ and was undefeated when he won the title. He's beaten veterans and up-and-comers, with wins over five UFC, one Pride, and one Dream (and two Strikeforce, though redundant) champs. He's just come off of a win against one of the best fighters in the world, and is undefeated at MW.
Vitor, Sonnen, and Hendo are out due to TRT. Plus, except for Vitor, they've all suffered losses recently. Bisping is 2-2 in his last four, having lost to Chael and Vitor. Jacare's only win against anyone worth a damn is Okami, who's left the UFC by now. Tim Kennedy runs hot-and-cold. Everyone else in the top-10, or possible top-10, is coming off of a loss.
Machida is not only a credible challenger, he's the only legal one. If Vitor gets off the juice, I'd love to see him back, but you're not giving Machida NEARLY enough credit, and it'll hardly be an "easy win" for Weidman. Machida's a master of range, and has been able to put good fighters on their heels with his style. It'll be a close fight, and I wouldn't be surprised if Machida is ahead on the odds going into the fight.
You under estimate Machida. But the reason he got this fight was because the original opponent got an injury in training, and Machida was the one that wasn't on a fight card who could make the middleweight limit when it happened. He happens to be quite skilled at Karate and is a focus striker that can deliver a surprising amount of power. As soon as you think you got him, he'll time a counter strike and put you down.
Edit:________
I stand corrected. The original opponent was Vitor Belfort, who pulled out of the fight after Nevada passed a ban on TRT. Although there is some controversy as to whether Vitor pulled out of the fight or the UFC pulled him.
He got the fight because the person supposed to fight pulled out because of the rule against testosterone replacement therapy. He is a highly skilled athlete. he is a fan favorite. He is believe to be a much better fighter in this weight class.
Had to laugh at just about every point you made. Another clueless "fan" of MMA.
from what I can see middleweight in ufc has too many fighters...I have seen Weidman he doesn't have any thing special ..he hits hard but that's it ...Machida has been in bigger fights before ..I think good gage to test Weidman if he is next big thing or not..
why not get a title shot? he deserves it & gtfo you dumb troll.
i bet you think cris cyborg is overated too & am a ronda rousey nut hugger.
He plays his game he is good. He fights way heavy at middle weight he will kill.
He lost to Phil Davis, bearly beat Hendo when Vitor knocked him out. The only good 2 wins he ever got were against Rashaud who didn't take him seriously and a 58 year old Randy Coutore. Next to Lesnare and he Mike Tyson Machida is the most overrated fighter in boxing or mma history.Easy win for Weidman
