UFC 104 Recap - Shogun is Robbed but Rematch is Promised

Shogun Bloodies Machida In Loss

Machida was a heavy -450 favorite heading in to his first title defense. But the karate specialist, who is touted as the most untouchable fighter in UFC history, was beaten down by Rua through five rounds, getting bloodied, battered and bruised by his Brazilian opponent. The judges handed the fight to Machida unanimously and the crowd let them know what they thought of that by raining boos down on to the octagon.

Rua claims his corner assured him that he was leading the fight on the judges’ score cards. So when the fight entered the later rounds, Rua claims he didn’t feel the need to escalate the fight to the next level. Maybe when you’re in the octagon fighting a champion, you’ll seek objective opinions about the fight instead of listening to the dudes in your corner.

Machida’s body language conceded the bout. He sagged his head as if he had lost the fight, and showed an unheralded level of humility after being declared the winner. Always the classy champion, Machida insisted that he would face Rua in a rematch whenever Shogun desired…and that fight will only build up to be one of the bigger draws in the coming months.

The fight not only reaffirmed Shogun’s return to the elite ranks, despite the loss, but it also served to prove that Machida will not back down from any challenge…even if it’s a challenge he may very well lose. Could you ask for a better champion?

Forget Everything I Said About Cain Velasquez

Ok, so maybe a 265-pound ball of hostile energy can out punch a seasoned veteran like Ben Rothwell. Velasquez improved to 7-0 SU and cashed in big winnings for those that sided with him on the UFC betting line. Velasquez now has every right to face the winner of Lesnar-Carwin, and if Lesnar wins you can expect this to be the most hyped heavyweight fight since Lesnar took on Couture.

Rothwell is a bum. Seriously. He fought like a drunk that had stumbled six blocks in the wrong direction and was left dazed when the bus driver wouldn’t make out with him. Who let this guy in to the UFC? A mid-card match is Rothwell’s next bout, and nobody will care, let alone bet on it.

Stevenson Dominates Fisher

It wasn’t even close. Joe “Daddy” Stevenson leveled Spencer Fisher with strikes and heavy blows in the opening round, then dismantled his opponent on the mat to earn the victory. Crippling Fisher in a tight leg lock, Stevenson threw elbows like he was at a Ludicrous concert leading to a referee stoppage in the second round.

Anthony Johnson Pound Yoshida Despite Weight Advantage

Johnson’s victory is even more curious than Rua’s loss. The thunder and lightning striker weighed in at 176-pounds for a 170-pound weight class fight. Shouldn’t he have been disqualified or something? Maybe I don’t understand how these things work.

Yoshido was beaten down in a matter of 41-secondds and was never able to put his Judo skills to the test. He went to the canvas, but didn’t take Johnson with him, as his face was rearranged by a series of blistering punches from Johnson. The fight was waste of time for Johnson, who needs to stay in welterweight division and pick up some steam against bigger fighters.