Live alone, die alone, fight alone—words Lyoto Machida received from his father to help toughen him and mold him into the evasive fighter he is today.
Machida’s fighting style is considered unorthodox, cowardly, explosive and downright bizarre. Regardless of what is said about him, he is a feared fighter—he won 18 straight mixed martial arts fights, the Ultimate Fighting Championship Light Heavyweight Title and up until UFC 113 in Montreal he was undefeated in MMA.
In his MMA techniques guide, Machida Karate-Do, Machida relives his origin into MMA with the aid of bestselling author Erich Krauss writing the introduction. Machida explains that at the age of 11, he knew that he wanted to be a fighter and wanted the type of karate training his father could give him. Machida’s desire to better himself saw him try his hand at sumo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and training with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
The techniques guide is broken down to seven different sections; striking attacks, intercepting attacks, the clinch, attacking the guard, attacks from dominant control, guard and escape. All sections contain fabulous photography that shows each technique step-by-step all with Lyoto explaining his technique in each frame. The techniques are performed by Lyoto to his brother Chinzo. Showing the positioning of the fighters from in front of them and behind them helps give the reader an easier comprehension of executing the techniques properly.
The short introduction and the lack of a conclusion are the only disappointments to a massive in-depth dream book for fans of Machida. His technical notes on certain attacks and defenses are unique and informative insight on Machida’s techniques. With more than a thousand step-by-step photos, one could spend hours just focusing on one section alone.
Mastering the skills in the book might not make you the next Machida, but it will definitely give you a better self-defense and counter attack. For those that prefer watching MMA techniques, the four disc DVD set Machida-Do Karate for Mixed Martial Arts has also been released by Victory Belt Publishing.
Machida Karate-Do Mixed Martial Arts Techniques
Lyoto Machida, Glen Cordoza, Erich Krauss
Victory Belt Publishing
Distributed by Tuttle Publishing
$34.95
276 pp.
