Watching the Machida Shogun preview I can’t help but be reminded at how amazing Machida’s run has been. Beating a Soku who was supposed to be a terrifying up-and-comer, beating probably the most motivated Tito ever, beating a Rashad Evans who had never been knocked out or even lost, beating a Thiago Silva who had the skills to make even the most tough fighters look straight up bad. And not only did he beat these guys who gave other elite fighters fits and losses, he beat them down while leaving no questions (which you can't say for Forrest or Rashad or even Rampage).

Compare it to Rashad, who beat an overrated Bisping, and (IMO) Forrest and an over the hill Chuck; and Forrest's run which had him beating a messed up Rampage and an out of shape Shogun to get his title. That said, I love Forrest and Rashad and their rise to their respective title was impressive and should be respected; but damn, compared to Machida's they just seem...trite?

It gets no easier for Machida as he goes to face a Shogun who most think has risen back to the old form that had him the most feared Light Heavy in Pride, and was a consensus top 5 p4p--most lists had him at #2-3. Have I overstated this? Is there any title run that is more impressive than Machida's? I admit becoming a huge fan of Machida when watching the countdown to the Tito fight (he was like an old school samurai zen warrior) so I've loved his rise since then and I always told my buddies that he was going to win when they thought he was going to get killed, but am I going too far with this? It wouldn't be the first time, but this is my first fanpost so be nice if it's in you.

Edit: I'm not comparing Machida to established champion title runs by Anderson, GSP, Fedor, and Wanderlie in his prime, Chuck in his prime, etc. He obviously has much to prove now that he's champion. But I'm thinking mostly about his run up to the title compared to others, especially in the light heavyweight division.