UFC 104 Preview - The Dragon Returns to the Octagon

Two of the top light heavyweights in the world of mixed martial arts collide at UFC 104 this Saturday night. MMA betting has a full card of bouts that are just bursting with value, starting with the main event between light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida (-450) and former PRIDE standout Maurico “Shogun” Rua (+325).

Machida is making his first title defense since stopping Rashad Evans with a second-round knockout at UFC 98. The Brazilian karate master has been tagged as the next great UFC champion. He's yet to taste defeat in his professional MMA career, going 15-0 with five wins by way of knockout. Machida is perhaps the slickest fighter in the UFC, using patience and tremendous shoot defense to wait out his opponents' aggression then strike with lighting-quick precision.

Rua is coming off a big knockout win over UFC favorite Chuck Liddell at UFC 97. That impressive win was Rua's best effort since making the move from PRIDE to the octagon. He lost his debut against Forrest Griffin and scored a lackluster KO win over MMA veteran Mark Coleman at UFC 93 in January. The Brazilian is a champion Muay Thai striker but can also finish opponents on the ground with a black belt in Jiu Jitsu. He boasts a 21-3 professional record with 15 wins coming by way of knockout.

Cain Velasquez (-300) vs. Ben Rothwell (+210)

Velasquez is trying to keep his momentum in the UFC heavyweight division. He is 6-0 with five wins coming by way of knockout, which is impressive for a former collegiate wrestler known more for his takedowns than his heavy hands. He's coming off a big win over Cheick Kongo at UFC 99 in June.

Rothwell was the biggest dog in the yard – the yard being the IFL. There the burly student of Miletich Fighting Systems went undefeated in nine bouts. However, he was stopped by former UFC champ Andrei Arlovski last July at an Affliction PPV but bounced back with a first-round knockout over Chris Guillen last December. He hasn't fought since.

Joe Stevenson (-260) vs. Spencer Fisher (+200)

Stevenson is trying to climb back to the top of the UFC lightweight division after suffering three losses in his last five fights. Those defeats came against elite level talents B.J. Penn, Kenny Florian, and Diego Sanchez. He is coming off a war against Nate Diaz in which he scored a decision in June. Stevenson looked good in that victory and will try to control Spencer on the mat.

Spencer has rolled out three straight wins, most recently a decision over Caol Uno at UFC 99. The American is known for his aggressive pace and will try to overwhelm an opponent who could be beginning the down slope of his career after plateauing against the top fighters in the weight class.