Compustrike breaks down UFC 104 leading up to the big PPV this weekend. The following is a break down for the main event and to take a look at the rest of the card click HERE
UFC 104: Machida vs. Rua
10/24/09 – Los Angeles, CA
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Main Event
Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio Rua
Machida, 15-0 (7-0 in the UFC), making the first defense of his light heavyweight title as a 3 -1 favorite over Rua, in a battle of Brazilians.
Machida won the belt last May with a convincing KO win over Rashad Evans at UFC 98. The first half of the first round was a flinchfest before Machida landed a left hook that dropped Evans. The defending champ got to his feet before Machida put his stamp on the round with several landed kicks in the finals minute. Evans had four total landed strikes in the round, throwing 25. Machida hit on 12 of just 21 total strikes.
The fighters circled in round two before a Machida left hook badly hurt Evans. As Evans struggled to get to his feet, Machida scored with a dozen ground strikes. When they did get to the feet, Machida rushed the shaken champion against the cage where a left hook, right hand and another left hook put Evans to sleep at 3:57 of the round. The efficient and accurate Machida landed 13 of 25 arm strikes in the round while limiting Evans to just three total strikes landed among his 29 thrown.
Machida mixed excellent footwork with accurate punching in his first round KO win over another fellow Brazilian, Thiago Silva at UFC 94. Machida landed seven arm strikes in the round- three of which floored Silva. Silva landed just five of eleven arm strikes.
Machida was having his way with former champ Tito Ortiz through two non-eventful rounds, landing 34 of 57 total strikes (60%) to just seven of 38 (18%) for Ortiz. Then a fight broke out in round three, as Ortiz landed 34 total strikes to 20 by Machida, who dropped Ortiz with a knee to the liver. Machida followed with 13 landed ground strikes, before Ortiz nearly submitted Machida with a triangle armbar late in the round. Machida’s takedown defense was outstanding, as he stuffed all six of Tito’s attempts.
Rua, the 2005 Pride Middleweight champion, earned his title shot with a first round KO of former UFC champ Chuck Liddell in April at UFC 97. Rua landed the cleaner punches throughout the round and scored effectively on the ground after easily taking Liddell down. A wide left hook dropped Liddell before a dozen ground strikes ended the fight at 4:28 of round one.
Rua rebounded from his disappointing loss to Griffin (while letting his injuries heal as well) with a hard-fought thrird round ko win over Mark Coleman in January at UFC 93. Rua mixed his attack in the opening round, landing 10 arm strikes, 11 leg strikes and 12 strikes on the ground. Coleman scored two takedowns in the round while the fast pace had him visibly fatigued at the horn.
The lumbering Coleman managed to slam Rua to the mat early in round two but had no advantage. Rua teed off on the stationary target, landing 21 of 38 arm strikes and 13 of 19 leg strikes. The game Coleman did land 14 of 37 arm strikes and scored two more takedowns.
Another Coleman takedown led to26 ground strikes landed before Rua got the fight to the feet and landed a right uppercut, left hook late in the round that ended the entertaining fight at 4:36 of round three.
Despite scoring four takedowns, Rua was totally dominated by Forrest Griffin at UFC 76 on Sept. of ’07. Griffin outlanded Rua 45-26 in round one, but just 13-10 on the feet. A Griffin right hand buckled Rua midway through the round.
Rua looked fatigued in round two as Griffin scored with 49 ground strikes from the crucifix position, pummeling Rua the final :45 of the round. Rua managed another takedown to start round three but did no damage. Griffin sunk an omaplata, then again pummeled Rua with 44 ground strikes before ending the fight via a rear naked choke.
The resurgent Rua is on a roll, but who’s got it going on more right now than Machida? Rua’s nature is to stand and slug, but to win this fight he’ll have to rediscover his jiu-jitsu skills and attempt to outgrapple Machida, while fighting a disciplined style. Too many variables for Rua to overcome, Machida retains his title with a late round stoppage.
Machida’s Last 3 Fights
5/23/09 – Machida KO 2 Evans
1/31/09 – Machida KO 1 Silva
5/24/08 – Machida W 3 Ortiz
Rua’s Last 3 Fights
4/18/09 – Rua KO 1 Lidell
1/17/09 – Rua KO 3 Coleman
9/22/07 – Rua L Sub 3 Griffin
