Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida a case of securing the initiative

Who Is He? (By Genghis Con) from Genghis Con on Vimeo.

We often think of sports as military combat with coaches as generals and athletes as foot soldiers all of which are engaged in righteous warfare on the gridiron or hardwood. The same holds true for mixed martial arts as such imagery can be seen throughout the sport (the UFC's Roman gladiator). If that analogy is true then the we must examine the most important principle of warfare, initiative and keeping the initiative.

This one strategic term will be the determine factor in UFC 98's main event between Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida.

Initiative allows a combatant to control the fight, forcing one's opponent to react and not dictate the terms of the engagement. This is such an important factor because when one can dictate the terms of combat one can ensure that they hold the advantage.

No fighter in the UFC does this better than Lyoto Machida. Machida's background as a Shotokan karate fighter has made him such an elusive fighter that opponents lurch, lunge and chase while Lyoto picks his shots never in danger of receiving damage. Basically Lyoto Machida resembles a contemporary guerilla warrior, refusing to stay still long enough for the conventional opponent to land a blow.

Unfortunately for Machida Rashad Evans is not a conventional fighter.

Evans should be built in the mold of Tito Ortiz and the other great wrestlers who have come through the UFC before him. But Evans path has been that of a chameleon. In each of Evan's fights he is never the same fighter. He adapts his style to match his opponent, like great poker players, Evans plays his opponent not his hand.

The fact is Machida is preparing to fight Evans in the same manner he prepared to fight Tito Ortiz, Rameau Sokoudjou and Thiago Silva. Where as Rashad Evans is preparing to fight Machida.

How will Evans adapt to face an illusive opponent?

Early indications are that he will refuse to fight on Machida's terms forcing the Brazilian to fight outside of his comfort zone. This simple fact alters the complexion of the fight and wrestles the initiative out of Machida's control.

Ultimately as observers we need to appreciate and watch the subtleties of movement. Never before in any UFC match will Octagon movement hold such an important value as it will this Saturday night.