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UFC 104 Live Blog: Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua Updates

By Mike Chiappetta
This is the UFC 104 live blog for Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, the main event of tonight's pay-per-view in Los Angeles, Calif.

Machida, coming off a title win by knockout over Rashad Evans in May, makes his first light heavyweight belt defense against the 2005 PRIDE GP champion Rua.

The live blog begins below.


Both men are now in the cage, and the fight is about to begin.

Round 1: Machida opens with a thai clinch and a couple knees after Shogun wades into his space. Shogun pulls out quickly. Shogun gets a bodylock against the cage, but Machida escapes before being taken down. Shogun tries another takedown try after eating a knee to the body. Shogun clearly has a strategy in this fight. Machida, is as always methodical. Shogun lands a leg kick, then a punch as the round goes under one minute. Very close round, but FanHouse scores it for Shogun 10-9.

Round 2: Machida lands his first hard strike of the fight with a right at the 1-minute mark. Shogun shoots in for a takedown, but Machida is able to stay on his feet. Shogun scores with a kick to the body, and Machida answers right back. Shogun lands another body kick with 1:30 left. Shogun is looking pretty comfortable here, but FanHouse scores the round for Machida, 10-9.

Round 3: Shogun with an early body kick. Both still very deliberate. Shogun with a body kick and Machida answers back with a punch to the head. Machida connected with a straight left with around two minutes left. First big flurry with around 45 seconds left as both men go toe to toe near the cage. Machida gets the best of it with a flurry, and Shogun only lands one hard right. FanHouse scores the round for Machida, 10-9.

Round 4: Shogun with a kick to the body early. Shogun tries another takedown midway through the round. Shogun continues to land leg kicks as the fight goes on. Machida looks to be tiring, and Shogun is taking over with leg kicks and an occasional flurry. FanHouse scores the round for Rua, 10-9.

Round 5: Shogun still attacking the legs, then goes with a body kick. Shogun pushing forward and Machida is visibly tired now. Rua clinches briefly and lands a hard elbow against the cage. Rua continually moves forward, not always able to hit Machida, but being the agressor. Rua lands a left in the final ticks of the clock, and FanHouse scores the round for Rua, 10-9. Rua could be the new champion.

Winner by unanimous decision: Lyoto Machida (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

Fans do not like the decision, booing Machida and cheering Shogun. Machida says they can do a rematch, "Whenever."

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