Machida looks to prove he won first bout against Rua

After a controvertial five round fight at UFC 104, Light Heaveyweight champion Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida will defend his title for the second time in a row against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Rua dominated the majority of the fight, landing 43 more power shots than Machida, including 48 of 68 leg kicks. However, Machida’s arm was raised at the end of the fight, rather than Rua’s. This rematch is one of the most hyped up and anticipated fight in recent memory.

This fight very well could be the best fight since Forrest Griffin fought “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 86 in 2008. Machida and Rua combine for 34 wins, including Machida’s unblemished 16-0 record. But fans have seen hyped up fights turn into blunders, such as the rematch between Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir, which Lesnar won in the second round by TKO.

Machida’s karate style has been the biggest problem for his opponents but Rua seemed to find the answer with powerful leg kicks. After seeing each other once, Machida has the advantage of learning to avoid the leg kicks. Machida’s style of waiting and destroying should help him win the rematch against Rua, and staying undefeated.