UFC 98 Live Blog: Lyoto Machida vs. Rashad Evans

Posted May 23, 2009 11:59PM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: UFC

This is the live blog for Saturday night's UFC 98 main event, featuring light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans defending his title against Lyoto Machida. The fight begins at around midnight ET, and the live blog begins below.

More Coverage: Full UFC 98 Results | Photos

Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida
Machida is making his way to the Octagon. Evans is making his way to the Octagon.
Round 1: This fight is underway. They're stalking around the cage for the first 30 seconds with no contact. Finally Machida with a leg kick. Both fighters are hoping to find an opening and counter, and we're starting to hear some booing from the crowd. Evans misses with a leg kick. Not a lot of action in the early going, but now Machida with a head kick that sends Evans back. Evans swings wildly and misses. Very little contact in the first three minutes. But now Machida lands a body kick. Now they engage, both land a couple of shots, Machida looks like he wants a takedown but then he backs away. Machida rocks Evans! Machida knocked Evans to the ground and pounded him! They're back on their feet but Evans got hurt. Machida lands a couple more kicks. Round 1 goes to Machida, 10-9.

Round 2: Evans looks like he might want to be a little more aggressive this round. The fans are chanting Machida's name. He's really got the crowd on his side. Machida lands a kick to the body and then tries to get the takedown, but Evans fights him off. Machida with an inside leg kick. A nice exchange of punches! Evans landed his best strikes of the night, but Machida got some in as well. Evans lands a good kick to Machida's ribs. Big left hand from Machida rocks Evans! Evans is in big trouble. It's over! Lyoto Machida knocks out Rashad Evans.

Fireworks in Las Vegas

Lyoto Machida, right, trades punches with Rashad Evans in the second round of their UFC light heavyweight mixed martial arts match Saturday, May 23, 2009 at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Machida won by knockout in the second. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

Rashad Evans recovers shortly after being knocked out by Lyoto Machida in the second round of their UFC light heavyweight mixed martial arts match Saturday, May 23, 2009 at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

LAS VEGAS - MAY 23: Lyoto Machida celebrates after defeating Rashad Evans (not pictured) by knockout during their Light Heavyweight Title bout at UFC 98: Evans vs Machida at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 23, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa, LLC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida

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LAS VEGAS - MAY 23: Lyoto Machida (R) bows to Rashad Evans (L) after Lyoto claims the title during their Light Heavyweight Title bout at UFC 98: Evans vs Machida at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 23, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa, LLC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida;Rashad Evans

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Lyoto Machida, right, delivers a right to Rashad Evans in the second round of their UFC light heavyweight mixed martial arts match Saturday, May 23, 2009 at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Lyoto won moments later by KO. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

LAS VEGAS - MAY 23: Rashad Evans falls to the floor after Lyoto Machida (not pictured) knocks him out during their Light Heavyweight Title bout at UFC 98: Evans vs Machida at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 23, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa, LLC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rashad Evans

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LAS VEGAS - MAY 23: Lyoto Machida (R) battles Rashad Evans (L) during their Light Heavyweight Title bout at UFC 98: Evans vs Machida at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 23, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa, LLC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyota Machida;Rashad Evans

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Lyoto Machida celebrates his second round KO victory over Rashad Evans during their UFC light heavyweight mixed martial arts match Saturday, May 23, 2009 at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Eric Jamison)

LAS VEGAS - MAY 23: Xavier Foupa-Pokam (R) battles Drew McFedries (L) during their Middleweight bout at UFC 98: Evans vs Machida at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 23, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Zuffa, LLC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Xavier Foupa-Pokam;Drew McFedries

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-23-2009 @ 3:50PM

Frederick said...

I am still on a toss up for this one. I see evans by KO or Machida by Decision.

That is my head, as a fan I am hopping Rashad pulls it off

5-23-2009 @ 10:07PM

KEVIN SR. said...

I agree it should be really close, but I see Machida coming away with the win

5-23-2009 @ 10:24PM

mightymouseavi said...

Machida in two my bet

5-23-2009 @ 10:26PM

Is there any radio or anything on this

5-24-2009 @ 12:01AM

bigdaddypsykes said...

I would like to see them knock each other out. i mean what do you do then? wait to see who comes to first? wait till they both come too and start the round like a cheap shot? prolly never happen but it's an interesting thought go Rashad

5-24-2009 @ 12:02AM

rhoadsra1 said...

EVANS IS FAST ON HIS FEET WHICH WILL KEEP HIM IN THE GROVE WITH MACHIDA'S STYLE 1st ROUND AND THEN EVANS WILL BE ADAPT TO MACHIDA'S STYLE AND EVANS WILL COUNTER PUNCH WITH A KNOCK OUT WIN. I FEEL THAT THIS FIGHT WILL REMAIN STANDING UNTIL EVAN'S KNOCKS MACHIDA OUT LATE IN THE 4th ROUND

5-24-2009 @ 12:14AM

MIGHTYMOUSEAVI said...

MICHIDA IA MASTER FIGHTER MANY TECNICAL ASPECT OF HIS FIGHTING

5-24-2009 @ 1:47AM

jflu1961 said...

rhoadsra1 said...

EVANS IS FAST ON HIS FEET WHICH WILL KEEP HIM IN THE GROVE WITH MACHIDA'S STYLE 1st ROUND AND THEN EVANS WILL BE ADAPT TO MACHIDA'S STYLE AND EVANS WILL COUNTER PUNCH WITH A KNOCK OUT WIN. I FEEL THAT THIS FIGHT WILL REMAIN STANDING UNTIL EVAN'S KNOCKS MACHIDA OUT LATE IN THE 4th ROUND............PPPPPPFFFFFFFFTTT!!!!!!!!!! WRONG !

5-24-2009 @ 2:32AM

Pitbull Furtado said...

Im Sooo happy Rashad lost, i have been waiting for someone to knock him out since ultimate fighter when he was dancing around the cage like a arogant ass. hughes should have knocked him out after that fight, now finally someone did years later, hope this is the first of many.

5-25-2009 @ 12:17PM

Kevin said...

GOOD NOT EVANS HE IS A CHICKEN THAT RUNS AND GETS LUCKY IT RAN OUT HE ALWAYS WAS A JOKE LOL THANK GOD HE IS NOT A UFC CHAMP THAT WAS A JOKE AND DISCRACEFUL TO THE SPORT