2009 UFC 104 Odds

UFC 104 Odds

UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

Background

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will challenge UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida for his title in the main event.

UFC President Dana White had confirmed that the winner of the Shane Carwin vs. Cain Velasquez fight would become the #1 Contender for Brock Lesnar"s UFC Heavyweight Championship. However, on August 20, it was reported the bout was off and that Carwin would fight Lesnar at UFC 106 instead and Velasquez will fight against Ben Rothwell.

Chase Gormley who was slated to face Ben Rothwell will instead face Stefan Struve.

An injured Sean Sherk will be replaced by Josh Neer.

As with UFC 103, the UFC announced a portion of the preliminary card will air live and commercial-free during an hour long block on Spike. Currently, the Antoni Hardonk vs. Patrick Barry and Ryan Bader vs. Eric Schafer fights will be shown on Spike in the U.S and ESPN in the UK

UFC 104 Event Analysis

Lyoto Machida (15 wins – 0 Losses) meets Maurico ‘Shogun" Rua (18 wins – 3 Losses) to defend his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Machida who blends a traditional Karate background with a fluency in MMA will test his unique style against the Muay Thai/Brazilian Jiu – Jitsu mix of Shogun.

Styles Make Fights

Shogun tore through competition in Japan winning the Pride Fighting Championship"s 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix. Hailing from the Chute Boxe Academy which is known for producing fighters capable of unleashing ruthless onslaughts, he has 15 career knockouts over notable fighters such as Quinton ‘Rampage" Jackson, Alistair Overeem, Ricardo Arona, and Chuck Liddell. However, he has looked lackluster in the UFC, losing to Forrest Griffen, while defeating aging fighters such as Mark Coleman and Liddell. Two knee surgeries have affected his training, and his conditioning has also suffered as a result.

Lyoto ‘the Dragon" Machida brings his unblemished record to the ring after defeating Rashad Evans to secure the Light Heavyweight belt. He has notable wins over Tito Ortiz, Rick Franklin, BJ Penn, and Thiago Silva. Machida"s base may be Karate, but he has also spent considerable time training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu along with Greco-Roman and Freestyle wrestling. He has frustrated opponents with his patient style of fighting which utilizes quick footwork to strike and then evade opponents. He is also fights with a capable counter fighting style which he has used effectively against over aggressive fighters.

Shogun"s strengths will be in the clinch and on the ground. He has shown tremendous ability to capitalize during the transitions of a fight, blending grappling and striking effectively. He has fought for championships before and will not be fazed by the pressures of a big fight. However, given that he has usually secured rather quick victories, if this fight enters later rounds, his conditioning is an unknown factor. If he can take Machida down and control him, or work knees and elbows in the clinch, he has the strength and experience to win the fight.

Machida fights effectively through great timing and controlling the range of the fight. His footwork ensures that he is rarely trapped against the cage, while his speed enables him to strike and evade his opponents. At close range he has made use of a foot sweep to drop opponents on their back or to at least disrupt them, opening further striking opportunities. Machida has been incredibly difficult for opponents to take down, and has also demonstrated patience, never forcing the fight or becoming flustered. Machida will exploit gaps in his opponents, and although he has not been into later rounds, he has shown solid conditioning in his fights.

UFC 104
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA

FIGHT CARD:

• Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
• Cain Velasquez vs. Ben Rothwell
• Gleison Tibau vs. Josh Neer
• Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher
• Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
• Antoni Hardonk vs. Pat Barry
• Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen
• Jorge Rivera vs. Rob Kimmons
• Ryan Bader vs. Eric "Red" Schafer
• Kyle Kingsbury vs. Razak Al-Hassan
• Stefan Struve vs. Chase Gormley