UFC 104: Machida vs. Rua
Breaking down the fighters' camps
Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 4:30 PM
By Jason Reynolds
In the main event at UFC 104 on October 24th, two of the most gifted fighters to ever enter the Octagon will battle for what many consider the promotion's top prize – the light heavyweight title – when Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida takes on Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Both fighters have been training harder than ever for this match, and both are extremely confident that they will win.
THE MACHIDA CAMP:
Machida was so motivated to train for his first UFC title defense, that he cut short an eight-day vacation he had taken to celebrate his winning the belt.
In May, Machida won the title by knocking out Rashad "Sugar" Evans in the second round of the main event at UFC 98. On day two of his recent vacation, Machida called his trainer because he was so eager to start training again. Even after nine consecutive months of training he didn't want a break.
Most fighters take at least a week off when they win. Machida is a different breed of fighter though. He won't rest until he has mastered his art – something that he admits is still a ways away.
"The Dragon" recently stated that he plans to defend his belt five times before moving up in weight to challenge UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. He wants to fight Lesnar to test his Machida Karate style against a physically stronger opponent.
Although some fighters may say that they want that challenge, too, few probably mean it. Machida is one of those few.
Machida has been practicing his fighting style (which is called Machida Karate) since he first saw Royce Gracie at UFC 1. Machida's Japanese father is a Shotokan Master that has modified the karate style to fit MMA.
Shotokan karate is mostly used as self-defense and for karate competitions based on points. Machida Karate uses Shotokan techniques and applies them to a real fight, with strikes thrown to cripple opponents rather than score points.
Machida trains with his father and brothers in Brazil, alongside elite fighters like Anderson Silva and Thiago Alves. He has the unique ability to avoid significant punishment while waiting to throw his fight-ending barrage of counter-strikes, kicks, knees or throws. Simply put, Machida can win a fight wherever it goes.
THE RUA CAMP:
Despite an obvious aura of confidence surrounding Machida, Shogun is himself training harder than he ever has before. He certainly doesn't lack confidence in his abilities, and he feels that a UFC light heavyweight title is in his destiny. In fact, Shogun claims to have the trick to beating Machida. His coach was recently quoted as saying that Shogun would show everyone how to beat Machida on October 24th. Shogun feels that patience is the key.
To prepare for this fight, Shogun tried to find fighters that mimic Machida's unique style. That may be impossible to do, especially considering that the only fighter comparable to Machida right now may be current UFC middleweight champion Anderson "Spider" Silva, and Silva trains with Machida and considers him a good friend.
Shogun's camp is hoping that his patience and well-rounded game will make it hard for Machida to counter-strike the way that he usually does. His plans are to pressure Machida with punches, kicks and knees in the clinch. If that doesn't work, look for Shogun to try to put Machida on his back – a position that he has rarely been put in during his undefeated 15-0 career.
Something else to consider with Shogun: During his years fighting in Pride, Shogun regularly used stomps and soccer kicks as a violent offensive attack. He would do whatever he could to get his opponent on his back, before putting an end to the fight with his kicks and stomps. It was simply one of his best weapons.
Unlike Pride, in the UFC such moves are outlawed against a downed opponent. This fact has left many MMA pundits wondering if Shogun can ever win a title fighting in the UFC, under unified rules.
To take the title from a fighter as gifted as Machida, he will need to use all of his tricks, and fight the best fight of his career.
Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua are two of the most versatile fighters in all of mixed martial arts. Both fighters enter the Octagon for their October 24th showdown for the UFC light heavyweight title feeling that they will be the next dominant champion, and each has the skill-set and versatility to back up their claims.
This main event should be an exciting fight between two super-skilled Brazilian fighters. With such strong training camps coming in to their showdown, Machida and Shogun should be at the top of their games.
MORE:
- Fighter Profiles: Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida | Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
- Photos: Machida's KOs, Kicks & Signature Moves | Rua's UFC Fights & Signature Moves
- Full MMA Coverage at MSG Fight Club
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