After watching the dismantling of a legend, Randy Couture, inside the Octagon by Lyoto Machida this past Saturday night at UFC 129, two things became apparent.
First of all, it made for perfect timing for "The Natural" to finally hang up the gloves. On such a grand stage, at such an action packed event, with such a devastating -- and memorable -- finish, it was the right decision to retire. It is never easy to see an amazing athlete leave the game but this was undoubtedly the time to do it..
Secondly, this fight showed "The Dragon" has that fire back in his breath and is ready for another push to the top of the division.
He took the time to find his comfort zone throughout the first round. This zone exists within his rhythm of jumping in and out of an opponents wheelhouse to jab and kick. He's like a rabbit with his otherworldly agility and it proved to be too much for the even-keeled Couture.
When Machida is on, he becomes a different fighter. One even the greatest mixed martial artists in the history of the sport will have trouble dealing with.
If there was ever a time to show that very fact, it's now, and if there was ever an opponent to prove it to, it's current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.
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