Two unbeaten sensations will put themselves to the test at UFC 89: “Bisping vs. Leben.”  The rumors have been made official, and the news is that light heavyweight champion Lyoto ‘The Dragon' Machida will be facing fellow Brazilian Thiago Silva on October 18.  The fight will take place at The National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England.

The 205-pound Lyoto Machida has won five straight battles inside the Octagon, who boasts of securing victories over former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz.  He also has to his credit other triumphs, notably against former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin, current UFC Lightweight champion and former UFC Welterweight champion B.J. Penn and even Light Heavyweight runner-up of the UFC's The Ultimate Fighter 1, Stephan Bonnar.  Machida has earned the reputation of having tactics and moves that are difficult to figure out.  Son of Yoshizo Machida, a Shotokan Karate master, Lyoto has a style that could easily frustrate his opponents.  Though some claim that this is “boring,” the way he follows might just be his strategy to win.  It seems to work for him, as he has been quickly working his way to a title.

If Machida defeats Thiago Silva during their October fight, his chances of achieving that title will definitely be improved.  It won't be that easy, however, as Machida's contender also boasts of a winning streak.  The mixed martial arts fighter, Thiago Silva, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and has a Muay Thai style of boxing.  His exciting career involves outdoing Tomasz ‘Gorilla' Drwal, Houston ‘The Assassin' Alexander, and Antonio ‘Samuray' Mendes.  His explosive punches and kicks could be the perfect match for the style that ‘The Dragon' has practiced. 

Tickets to the Machida-Silva fight are already being sold, but fans will have to hurry.  Seats are quickly going fast, and ‘The Dragon' can't wait for too long.


-Maria Gonzalez, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: UFC.com, MMA Mania
(Image courtesy of UFC Scene)