UFC 113 Preview: Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

UFC 113 main event: Champ Lyoto Machida (16-0) vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (18-4)
Odds: Machida (-200), Shogun (+160)
Fun Fact: Shogun was once a model in Brazil.

Zak Woods: The ads have billed it as the "most anticipated rematch of the year". Which it is until Frankie Edgar fights B.J. Penn.

The last time these two fought it was at UFC 104 and Shogun essentially kicked Machida into confusion. It was a simple, methodical strategy and while the fight was close many believed Shogun got the short end of the judges stick. Of course, it didn't help when Cecil Peoples said that leg kicks don't count. 

Controversial judging aside, the fight did give the UFC some matchmaking breathing room as there was no real #1 contender to step in if Machida demolished Rua (like many of us thought). In that regard the fight was a success and now we get to see rounds six through ten.

Despite the belief that Shogun won the first fight observers are once again gravitating towards Machida. Surely, the fighter who we thought was a modern day Bruce Lee will have learned how to handle repeated kicks from his opponent?

Zach Krantz: First off, the most anticipated rematch of the year is me versus pelon's ultimate burrito. Not if I can finish it, but if I can keep it in me for 6 hours.

Poop jokes aside, I am once again going with Machida. I was with the Machida camp the first time, I thought Shogun won, and I think Machida will win again. I am very anxious to see what Machida's gameplan will be coming into this fight. Does he plan to take the fight to the mat (very capable of doing), is he looking to catch kicks, or will he maintain the same strategy except he now has the experience of dealing with the leg kicks?

In the end I still feel Machida has less holes in his game than Shogun and while we may start seeing the Shogun of old I am still think Machida is a better fighter. So, if you are a betting man, go with Shogun as I never guess title fights correctly.

Zak Woods: As long as you aren't using chiptolaway we have nothing to fear.

I thought it was interesting that Shogun's trainer came out and said that he believed Machida hasn't learned at all from his last fight. Where as Machida has come out and said that he was the victim of a surprise and won't be fooled again.

There's always a degree of subterfuge in these pre-fight media sessions as each camp is afraid to reveal too much information and inadvertently give their opponent an advantage. It's one of the things that makes the sport fun to follow almost akin to cold war spies. Well, except that whole threat of nuclear destruction...

Still, I agree with Zach that this will be an interesting fight to watch just to see how each fighter adapts to the last fight.

Nick Becker: Alright listen up you knuckleheads, underwear bloodstains aside, Chiptole rocks. Mmm, barbacoa...
As far as this match-up goes, I can't wait. This is my most anticipated fight of the year so far and I don't really care who wins as long as it ends decisively. The last thing I want is for this fight to end in another controversial decision while we wait another seven months for an "immediate" rematch.

Machida's gameplans are usually spot-on so I figure he'll have some new tricks up his sleeve for the resurgent Shogun. For all the credit Shogun got for their first fight he still lost and I think that he'll stick to the same plan he had the first time around since it worked well for him (except for the whole 'winning' part). I see Machida countering Shogun's leg kicks and utilizing quicker and more unpredictable movement now that he knows what to expect.

I feel that Machida didn't anticipate Rua being so patient when they first met and this time he will adjust his strategy accordingly. Part of me hopes that Rua can get the win since there are some mouth-watering (got my mind on Chipotle now, thanks) match-ups for him, but after witnessing the brilliance of Machida in every fight before UFC 104, it's hard to pick against him.

Zak Woods: Nick, regarding your point about a "decisive" fight, I think that all depends on what you define as decisive.

If you mean knockout or submission I am not sure we are going to get that. There's a lot at stake here so I think both fighters will be extremely tactical (that's a code word for boring) like we saw last time.

Nick Becker: You're right Zak (man, I hate admitting that); I also doubt we'll see a KO or submission. When I said "decisive" finish, I meant that hopefully the decision is clear-cut and devoid of the controversy we saw the first time around.

Zach Krantz: I think it will be a Machida spinning back fist KO in the first 30 seconds or a Shogun flying armber to start the match...

Zak Woods: Damn you Zach!

You got my hopes up!

David St. Martin: Ah, I love coming late to the party. The ladies are just drunk enough to believe it when I tell them I'm in the next twilight movie. (I'm the pale one)  I think you guys are mostly right about everything aside from Chipotle. Barbacoa?  That filth has no place in such a fine establishment owned by the McDonald's Corporation.

Will this fight be boring? Of course! These guys will feel each other for for 2-3 rounds before the action starts picking up.  I would love nothing more for them to throw caution to the wind, but we all know that's not going to happen.  I'm not sure what Shogun does if he cant land the kicks like he did in their last fight.  
And Zak, the cold war's over, coke won.

Zak Woods: I am sorry David, I am a Dr. Pepper guy.

Tape Watching: Shogun vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira part 1

Shogun vs. Rogerio part 2

Lyoto Machida vs. Stephan Bonnar