There are lots of styles that have useful elements, the most important thing is that you have live practice with a non compliant partner to try and put your techniques into action. The whole "now grab my wrist" schtick that gets peddled is achingly terrible and the stereotypical TMA videos that show two indoctrinated believers doing very far fetched, choreographed routines make me sad. Sparring and rolling should be at least 25% of training IMV, ideally more than that.
I have no idea why it seems to be only unarmed combat that people think you can master without doing lots of actual live practice. Can you imagine how shit you'd be at tennis if you just swung an imaginary racket at a theoretical ball? A kid I went to school with did / does wing chun and I remember being very confused when he said his sifu told him he shouldn't do any sparring outside of class because it would limit his mind in a real street fight.
Anyway, Machida didn't exactly blow anyone's socks off last night. I think he'll probably have to beat Jacare to get the next title shot. Erick Silva was his usual awesome self.