33 men have tried. 33 men have failed. 33 men walked into a fight that they were unable to win. Their strongest efforts were not enough to topple the mountains they found in “Sugar” Rashad Evans and Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida.
At UFC 98 for the first time ever the bitter taste of defeat will undoubtedly find its way onto the plate of one of these fighters. MMA fans can be certain that one of these fighters will walk away finally knowing what it feels like to stand across the cage and watch a winner celebrate.
If that is not enough drama add, a UFC championship strap into the mix and the importance of this event really amplifies the intensity.
On May 23rd two titans will clash in the octagon. Two elite warriors will sort out who will remain undefeated and more importantly who will walk a way the champion in the LHW division.
Both fighters have been busy building outstanding resumes. They have beaten the biggest names in the sport. Your current UFC LHW champion boasts an incredible 18-0-1 record. Your number one LHW contender brings to the table a 14-0 record. Records are impressive but there is more than just perfection in these two cases. The contents held within the records are equally impressive.
The list of victims these two carry in their back pocket is a list of who’s who in the MMA world. Sugar has proven to sweet for names like Stephan Bonnar, Michael Bisping, Forrest Griffin, and Chuck Lidell. Fighters that could not slay The Dragon include Stephan Bonnar, B.J Penn, Tito Ortiz, and Rich Franklin.
Those names are household in the world of MMA.
What more can MMA fans ask for. Sometimes the stars align for something very special. With the skills and experience these two fighters possess with all that is on the line, there is bound to be something grand on tap for UFC 98.
Fans of the sport have seen fights like Frye vs. Takayama, or Griffen vs. Bonnar. Those fights brought out some of the most pure moments the sport has seen. That is what happens when two unstoppable forces are going opposite ways on a collision course.
Something must give. These are two forces that have proven unstoppable for many years. They find themselves here this weekend on a one way track in opposite directions. Something will give.
Sunday morning, May 24th, each of these men will wake up with a weight on his shoulders.
On one pair of shoulders will rest the weight of defeat. It will weigh heavily and seem so strange, foreign. Defeat is not on either mans agenda yet they know it is closer than they might like.
On the other pair of shoulders will be the weight of the LHW Championship belt. That weight will be welcome indeed, and depending on whos wearing it it may be foreign or familiar. Victory is expected by both men without condition, yet they both know it may be just out of their grasp.
How will this unfold? Nobody knows for sure. That is the beauty of the fight. That is the reward for the fans. Championships, mixed with perfect records, and so much drama are true gems. Real victories for the sport, the fighters, and the fans.
The ingredients are in place to create a masterpiece. These two have everything it takes to bring magic into the cage. If they both bring their best game into the fight with them this weekend, MMA is in for a timeless mathcup. How many times will these circumstances come together? Not often that is for sure. This fight has the potential to be historically remembered. It is now up to the fighters to make it happen.
Both men are world class fighters who have earned their place at the top of the mountain. Now one must fall, and the other stay the course to perfection. Good luck to both fighters in what is sure to be a one of a kind fight.
