Machida using rubberguard in the last few seconds of the fight with Rampage

[Andrew Maxwell]

At about 5:02 in this video Machida uses rubber guard in what appeares to be an attempt to prevent Rampage from using any G&P. The arm is trapped, the knee is hugged but he never clears the neck/head.

[Justin W.]

At about 5:02 in this video Machida uses rubber guard in what appeares to be an attempt to prevent Rampage from using any G&P. The arm is trapped, the knee is hugged but he never clears the neck/head.

I'm pretty sure he was just going for an omoplata. You could see how he was trying to turn to get the angle for it.

[Ben Vazquez]

I noticed that too, I wouldn't be shocked to find out Machida added some rubber-guard work to his game......He may have had it all along his ground game is pretty impressive from what I know of the guy.

But I couldn't tell if he was attempting to pull rubber-guard or was just looking to sweep Rampage with a omoplata because he sort of slids out to the side more then you would expect from someone trying to lock in rubber-guard for defense but that could just be do to possible inexperience with it.

Would be nice if someone asked him about it to find out if he was going for an omoplata or was trying to hold rubber-guard to defend the GnP.

[Jonathan Wylie]

omaplata

[Stephan Pepin]

lol exactly what I was thinking OMOPLATA attempt not rubber guard

[Matthias Sieber]

He should have brought Eddie in and not Steven Seagal

[Andrew Maxwell]

It looks to me like he was just holding on at the end of the round just preventing any damage, he doen't really have time for the omoplata sweep or sub. Plus Rampage is doing a good job of tucking his head away and defending.

[Eddie Bravo]

looked like a free new york to me but i'm pretty sure that was purely coincidental, I don't think Machida studies the rg

[Jason Eisner]

Cool post. I missed this fight. Looks like Machida might have just used it to control Rampage from posturing up. Maybe he didn't want to get punched anymore. And he did hug the knee, which was cool to see.

[Danny Stolfi]

Lyoto Machida won this fight.