UFC 94 Machida vs. Silva – Battle of the Unbeaten

Before B.J. Penn takes to the Octagon to face off against Georges St. Pierre, one of the most intriguing bouts of the year – - yes, I feel comfortable writing that already – - will take place between two undefeated brawlers.

Thiago Silva and Lyoto Machida have been a boon to BetOnline online sportsbook UFC betting fans since they started their careers. Both guys are undefeated with 13 and 0 records. Both guys are considered tops in their division and both guys will go into the ring with enough heart to fill a Wal-mart Valentine’s Day candy section.

Okay, that wasn’t the best I could have come up with but it works. The point is that the winner of the Machida and Silva jumps to the top of the 205 lb weight division.

Let’s take a closer look at this fight!

Lyoto Machida

Strengths: He’s a Karate master. That’s pretty much it. He doesn’t have to ground and pound. He doesn’t have to strike like a superior boxer. He just Karate’s his opponents’ asses all over the Octagon. This guy is a monster. Okay, he will ground and pound you but it’s all from the Karate style. It’s amazing how fast Machida is in the ring. Karate chops, kicks…whatever you think he can’t do, this guy can do.

Weakness: I don’t know if there are any. I’ve seen this guy fight a few times and I have to admit that he’s pretty freaking impressive. If there is a weakness, it has to be that he doesn’t have a fantastic ground game. Then again, he did choke Rameau Sokoudjou into submission two fights ago. So, maybe he just hasn’t had to use a ground game yet.

Thiago Silva

Strengths: He’s a bad ass. While Machida is a terrifically gifted and experienced Karate master, Silva is simply a bad mother-f. The man gets in the ring and tries to tear his opponents apart with incredible strength and pit-bull like viciousness. Style? What style! Silva’s style is to beat his opponent’s ass by any means necessary. He’s not as technically sound as Machida but he’s an incredible talent.

Weaknesses: Silva doesn’t have the technical expertise that Machida has. For all of his aggressiveness and strength, it could take only one brilliant punch or kick from Machida to put him on his back. Silva will have to be controlled in the ring in order to beat Machida.

BetOnline online sportsbook Odds:

Thiago Silva +200 vs. Lyoto Machida -300

Analysis: Machida just looks like a winner in this but anybody who has read any of my articles knows that I absolutely love the underdog. When the underdog has the same record as the favorite, and is just as impressive, I’m all over it. The reason that Thiago Silva is the bet in this match is because Lyoto Machida isn’t twice as good of a fighter as Silva. +200 on an undefeated pit-bull like Silva? I have to take the odds. I do believe that technically Machida is a better fighter and his Karate skills might win out in the end, but Silva is stronger, at least he appears stronger, and he’s flat out mean.

I’m betting that Thiago Silva upsets Lyoto Machida at the BetOnline online sportsbook wagering odds of +200.

Good Luck!