That first sweep was so cheeky...epic moment.
I'm not underestimating Silva. Against most fighters, that quality is a huge bonus and allows him to get in some huge hits. Committing when somebody steps in on you is smart...it's just that Machida's style anticipates that, and combats it effectively and devastatingly...in fact, shotokan karate is pretty good at doing that, and Machuda's father, when he made his alterations on the Shotokan style to adapt to big, powerful brazilians, accentuated that and took the quick lateral and back-forth motion to a whole new extreme. It's not a weakness on Silva's part...for pure striking, Silva is the best in UFC. Rather, it's a strength on Machida's part, because Machida has the best strike defense in UFC.
About them being training partners: yeah, so they both know each other really well, meaning the fight would be more who-is-having-a-better-day-based than anything else. I just think Machida's style would give him the edge. Also, them being training partners and friends is why they probably won't fight.
machida hasn't ever lost a round in UFC. that had to be said.