UFC 104 : Machida vs Shogun

I am super excited to watch my boy, Lyoto Machida back in action in his first title defense.

When I watched Lyoto pick Tito apart at UFC 84 I was very, very intrigued by his look & style.

When I watched Machida KO the undefeated Thiago Silva at UFC 94 I knew that given the opportunity Lyoto would be the champ at 205lbs.

At UFC 98, I got to see Machida's most famous performance where he destroyed then champ, Rashad Evans in the 2nd round. I was in love.

I have since, gone back and watched all of Machida's UFC fights, as well as his wins over Rich Franklin, Stephan Bonnar, & BJ Penn before he ever entered the UFC.
Machida is my favorite fighter.

Now, I am lucky enough to get to see Lyoto defend his title for the first time against Pride legend Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua.

AND I am super lucky that DigialKontent.com's own Milo joined me in making picks. Check 'em out because Milo definitely knows his shit.


UFC 104 : Machida vs Shogun, Staples Center, Los Angeles, Saturday Oct. 24, 2009

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)

Light Heavyweight Championship, Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
Shane - I like Shogun, I just don't think he's been impressive in any of his UFC fights. Take away his best weapons (soccer kicks & foot stomps) & Shogun looks a lot more human since his dominant Pride days. Machida will be too much for Shogun, Machida TKO, round 4.
Milo - Machida wins by decision

Ben Rothwell vs. Cain Velasquez
Shane - I like Cain Velasquez. I think his wrestling will be too much for Rothwell. Velasquez will be able to control te fight from either top position or beat up Rothwell inside the clinch. I hope Rothwell puts up a hell of a fight though because Velasquez is still just 6-0 & after his last performance it showed that he still needs more ring time. If Velasquez wins I fear he will be rushed into a title shot that he's not ready for. I'd like to see Rothwell get a win but I'll go Velasquez by decision.
Milo - Rothwell wins by KO in first round

Spencer Fisher vs. Joe Stevenson
Shane - I think Joe Stevenson will use his takedowns to get top position & score points. It will probably be a decision but I'll say that Stevenson pulls off a tight guillotine off a scramble in round 2.
Milo - Fisher beats Stevenson into submission in the final round with only 14 seconds left on the clock. Stevenson's corner-man is telling him to just hold out, but it was not meant to be. It's a shame too because Stevenson scores lots of points in all of the rounds, but just got caught in the end.

Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Milo - Yoshida wins with a roundhouse kick to Johnson's face 4 seconds into round 1
Shane - I think if anyone wins by roundhouse kick it'll be Johnson. Johnson is a huge welterweight with a great future ahead of him. Johnson TKO, round 2.

Josh Neer vs. Gleison Tibau
Shane - Tibau by decision.
Milo - Neer beats Tibau with an armbar, a minute and a half into round 2

PRELIMINARY CARD (Spike TV)

Ryan Bader vs. Eric Schafer
Shane - Bader's wrestling is incredible & I expect him to use it to get double leg takedowns, stay on top for some 'ground & pound', & stay out of submission trouble. Last time out Bader couldn't seem to finish & I hope he's improved on that but until I see it I'll take Bader by decision.
Milo - Bader wins by decision, but it won't help him get on the main card the next time he makes a UFC appearance.

Patrick Barry vs. Antoni Hardonk
Shane - Barry by TKO, round 1. Both are kickboxers & have no real ground game, & that's why this fight is going to be televised. If this does go the distance it should be a hell of a stand up war with a ton of vicious leg kicks.
Milo - FIGHT OF THE NIGHT! Barry and Hardonk decide to just brawl for fifteen minutes. The crowd goes crazy and the mat is stained with blood for the rest of the night. It's really too close to call, but I'm going to guess Hardonk wins by decision.

PRELIMINARY CARD (Not televised)

Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen
Shane - Okami by decision & he will continue to not get the title shot that he deserves.
Milo - Okami wins by decision, but the crowd won't agree.

Rob Kimmons vs. Jorge Rivera
Shane - Kimmons by submission, round 2. Maybe a rear-naked choke.
Milo - Kimmons will knock out Rivera with a roundhouse kick to the head 9 seconds into round1.
Razak Al-Hassan vs. Kyle Kingsbury
Shane - Kingsbury by decision. I hope I'm wrong because I'm sick of seeing these Ultimate Fighter 8 alumni keep popping up on cards that they don't deserve to be on.
Milo - Al-Hassan wins in round two with a rear-naked choke. This is only because Kingsbury was paid to take a dive by Dana White HIMSELF. The plot thickens when we find out just how far the conspiracy goes.

Stefan Struve vs. Chase Gormley
Shane - Gormley by decision
Milo - Struve will not be able to attend due to a mysterious Scarlet Fever illness.