UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida defended his belt for the first time Saturday at UFC 104, defeating Shogun Rua to retain his title and remain undefeated in a tough, close unanimous decision that left the fans in Los Angeles booing.
I scored the fight for Shogun, three rounds to two. But all three judges gave it to Machida three rounds to two. It was a close enough fight that it could easily have gone either way.
"I trained hard for this fight for four months," Shogun said afterward. "My corner was telling me I won the fight. I feel like I won this fight but a fight is a fight. What can I do?"
"Whenever he wants, I'll try again," Machida said when asked if he'd be interested in giving Shogun an immediate rematch. "No problem."
Shogun started the fight by throwing a kick, and Machida responded by grabbing Shogun and landing a couple of knees. The two clinched against the fence after that, and after they separated Machida landed another hard knee to Shogun's chin. They were both cautious and attempted to pick their shots and counter-strike throughout a very close first round.
In the second round, Machida landed a couple of punches and a kick early on, and when Shogun went for a single-leg takedown, Machida was having none of it, staying up and pushing Shogun off him. As the round wore on, Shogun landed a hard kick to the body and several knees. It was another close round.
In the third round both fighters looked hesitant, and a few fans could be heard booing. But in the final minute of the fight they both came alive, trading punches against the fence. The round could have gone either way, as the flurries of action saw both fighters trading strikes.
The fourth round saw the fight go to the ground for the first time -- but just for a second, when Machida slipped while attempting a kick but was able to keep Shogun from doing any damage and quickly get back to his feet. There wasn't much contact either way, and it was yet another close, even round.
In the fifth Shogun landed several kicks, while Machida landed a couple of very solid knees. Shogun also landed some good punches. The fight ended with both fighters raising their hands in victory.
Machida improved his professional record to 16-0. Rua fell to 18-4.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (R) battles with UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (L) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida;Mauricio Rua
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (top) battles with UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (bottom) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Machida retained his title by way of unanimous decision. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida;Mauricio Rua
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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (R) battles with UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (L) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Machida retained his title by way of unanimous decision. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida;Mauricio Rua
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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (R) battles with UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (L) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida;Mauricio Rua
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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (R) battles with UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (L) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida;Mauricio Rua
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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida rests between rounds against UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (L) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida
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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (R) battles with UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (L) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida;Mauricio Rua
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (L) battles with UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (R) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida;Mauricio Rua
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (L) battles with UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (R) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida;Mauricio Rua
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (R) battles with UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (L) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida;Mauricio Rua
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (top) battles with UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (bottom) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lyoto Machida;Mauricio Rua
I re-watched the fight several times and slow motioned parts. I think the fight was close and should not have been a unanimous decision but I thought Machida won 1 and 3 and 2 was the controversal round. Shogan won 4 and 5 hands down. I thought Shogan won hands down when I watched it the first time but after reveiewing the fight I think Shogan had the edge and should have won but it was closer than most are saying here.
johnnynumber5 10-25-2009 12:46AM
WORST DECISION EVER!
Machida did NOTHING to win that fight.
I'm completely FINISHED with the ufc.
That was worse than Hammill vs Bisping or Ortiz vs Evans.
Machida looked like a beaten and defeated man. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE decision. What a travesty.
iwaugh7 10-25-2009 2:44AM
remember the ufc doesnt decide who wins are loses its the athletic commision and the judges they pick to score the fight nothing to do with the ufc and yes i agree shogun won the fight.
johnnynumber5 10-25-2009 3:21AM
Yeah I understand the CSAC picks the judges and the referees but you have to admit it still stinks ... if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck ... it's a duck.
Doesn't stop Dana from taking a stand and saying what everyone knows ... Shogun won the fight. Instead he tries to be PC and say neither guy did enough to win.
The UFC doesn't hire the judges, FYI. The crooked CA State Athletic commmission does. Also, Dana agrrees that Shogun won the fight (he is shown telling Shogun that personally in the Oct after the fight)and is calling for an immediate rematch. Robbery, yes, but you put the blame in the wrong place.
Angel 10-25-2009 12:53AM
An absolutely disgraceful decision, and every single judge should be sat down and forced to explain exactly how they scored that fight because these horrible decisions and referring are going to ruin this sport. People in charge of these fights have to be educated before they're allowed to judge and ref.
wtf???shogun clearly won that fight..he punished machida with powerful leg kicks the entire fight.. of course Dana knew about that but its bussiness ..rematch = more money in Danas pocket..bussiness strategy!!can we do anythin to change it?/the answer is NO..
PrideFighting 10-25-2009 12:52AM
Some decisions are questionable, and that is ok. But this decision was wrong IMO. And to quote Tokesh: "the whole thing looked really pathetic, i felt sorry for machida having to accept the belt to be honest"
To me it looked like Machida got the win just because he is Machida.
The UFC lost a lot of credibility with that decision.
No one in their right mind could watch that fight and say that Machida won the fight. How three judges could have it unanimous for Machida just shows it was rigged.
Machida looked like a defeated man. He knew it to when he was being defensive after the fight. Complete BULL
claytor 10-25-2009 12:55AM
Machida was being Machida in that fight??!? Shogun looked more like Machida than Lyoto did. Its funny how Griffin used the same strategy, albeit a much weaker one where he really only had that one great round, and wins the gold. Rua does it for five rounds, controls the pace, deals more damage, pretty much dictated how the fight was to be, and thats not a championship effort?
Christ, this is a massive fix, much worse than Griffins mystery dive job.
madecaelortiz484 10-25-2009 12:53AM
I was going for Machida, and I'm glad he won, but there is no way that match was his. Shogun definitly did more.
I agree...i've seen alot of decisions where cecil peoples sees the person who clearly lost the fight as the winner while the other 2 judges see it in favor of the other guy. Just mind blowing that this was a unanimous decision. C'mon not one judge saw Rua as the winner!? I was rooting for Machida and even I know he lost this fight. What a shame and a step backward for the UFC.
Randy 10-25-2009 12:55AM
WHAT !!!! Shogun got robbed. Machida, I hope you do try to move up to heavy weight, this guy says he would like to fight Brock... Please, I'm not a Lesnar fan but after this proformance I'd LOVE to see you take on Brock, Dos Santos, or even Cain. Dana please give Vitor the next title shot and make this guy have to fight...
Yeah...Was going for Machida...and thought Machida finally lost...Damn!...then...WTF?...Unanimous Decision??? Machida Wins?...Shogun definitely should of won...Can't wait for the rematch...
Where was the knock-out that everyone said Rua was going to accomplish LOL.. TO BE THE CHAMP YOU HAVE TO BEAT THE CHAMP; DID NOT HAPPEN. IT WAS BASICALLY A DRAW. RUA landed and missed a lot of leg kicks/ Machida landed the better head shots. Nothing was dramatic about this fight. A rematch; ASAP! As for Grogan; he's an ass LOL..
UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida defended his belt for the first time Saturday at UFC 104, defeating Shogun Rua to retain his title and remain undefeated in a tough, close unanimous decision that left the fans in Los Angeles booing.
The fourth round saw the fight go to the ground for the first time -- but just for a second, when Machida slipped while attempting a kick but was able to keep Shogun from doing any damage and quickly get back to his feet. There wasn't much contact either way, and it was yet another close, even round.
Comments (Page 1 of 6)
i usually dont complain about the decisions but this one was mind boggling.
the whole thing looked really pathetic, i felt sorry for machida having to accept the belt to be honest
I re-watched the fight several times and slow motioned parts. I think the fight was close and should not have been a unanimous decision but I thought Machida won 1 and 3 and 2 was the controversal round. Shogan won 4 and 5 hands down. I thought Shogan won hands down when I watched it the first time but after reveiewing the fight I think Shogan had the edge and should have won but it was closer than most are saying here.
WORST DECISION EVER!
Machida did NOTHING to win that fight.
I'm completely FINISHED with the ufc.
That was worse than Hammill vs Bisping or Ortiz vs Evans.
I'M DONE!
No one can defend that robbery.
That was total horse crap.
Machida looked like a beaten and defeated man. TERRIBLE TERRIBLE decision. What a travesty.
remember the ufc doesnt decide who wins are loses its the athletic commision and the judges they pick to score the fight nothing to do with the ufc and yes i agree shogun won the fight.
Yeah I understand the CSAC picks the judges and the referees but you have to admit it still stinks ... if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck ... it's a duck.
Doesn't stop Dana from taking a stand and saying what everyone knows ... Shogun won the fight. Instead he tries to be PC and say neither guy did enough to win.
Shogun won that fight PERIOD!!!!!!
Wow, Shogun won for sure. That was the work of Dana White no doubt. Feel sorry for Machida.
The UFC doesn't hire the judges, FYI. The crooked CA State Athletic commmission does. Also, Dana agrrees that Shogun won the fight (he is shown telling Shogun that personally in the Oct after the fight)and is calling for an immediate rematch. Robbery, yes, but you put the blame in the wrong place.
An absolutely disgraceful decision, and every single judge should be sat down and forced to explain exactly how they scored that fight because these horrible decisions and referring are going to ruin this sport.
People in charge of these fights have to be educated before they're allowed to judge and ref.
wtf???shogun clearly won that fight..he punished machida with powerful leg kicks the entire fight.. of course Dana knew about that but its bussiness ..rematch = more money in Danas pocket..bussiness strategy!!can we do anythin to change it?/the answer is NO..
Some decisions are questionable, and that is ok.
But this decision was wrong IMO.
And to quote Tokesh:
"the whole thing looked really pathetic, i felt sorry for machida having to accept the belt to be honest"
To me it looked like Machida got the win just because he is Machida.
The UFC lost a lot of credibility with that decision.
No one in their right mind could watch that fight and say that Machida won the fight. How three judges could have it unanimous for Machida just shows it was rigged.
Machida looked like a defeated man. He knew it to when he was being defensive after the fight. Complete BULL
Machida was being Machida in that fight??!? Shogun looked more like Machida than Lyoto did. Its funny how Griffin used the same strategy, albeit a much weaker one where he really only had that one great round, and wins the gold. Rua does it for five rounds, controls the pace, deals more damage, pretty much dictated how the fight was to be, and thats not a championship effort?
Christ, this is a massive fix, much worse than Griffins mystery dive job.
I was going for Machida, and I'm glad he won, but there is no way that match was his. Shogun definitly did more.
disgusting decision. cecil peoples is the biggest p.o.s. judge in boxing/mma
I agree...i've seen alot of decisions where cecil peoples sees the person who clearly lost the fight as the winner while the other 2 judges see it in favor of the other guy. Just mind blowing that this was a unanimous decision. C'mon not one judge saw Rua as the winner!? I was rooting for Machida and even I know he lost this fight. What a shame and a step backward for the UFC.
WHAT !!!! Shogun got robbed. Machida, I hope you do try to move up to heavy weight, this guy says he would like to fight Brock... Please, I'm not a Lesnar fan but after this proformance I'd LOVE to see you take on Brock, Dos Santos, or even Cain. Dana please give Vitor the next title shot and make this guy have to fight...
Yeah...Was going for Machida...and thought Machida finally lost...Damn!...then...WTF?...Unanimous Decision??? Machida Wins?...Shogun definitely should of won...Can't wait for the rematch...
Where was the knock-out that everyone said Rua was going to accomplish LOL.. TO BE THE CHAMP YOU HAVE TO BEAT THE CHAMP; DID NOT HAPPEN. IT WAS BASICALLY A DRAW. RUA landed and missed a lot of leg kicks/ Machida landed the better head shots. Nothing was dramatic about this fight. A rematch; ASAP! As for Grogan; he's an ass LOL..