Op3r

I was watching the replay of the UFC 104. The fight was a bit boring and long because it is expected that everytime Lyoto Machida has a fight it will be a fight for decision. Shogun is actually winning the fight then when the decision came in Lyoto won . This has created a shitstorm at sherdog forum. I am going to paste the round by round commentary of CagePotato.

Quote:
Lyoto Machida vs. “Shogun” Rua

Shogun comes out to some thumping club jam, which instinctively makes me want to check my drink for a roofie. Machida follows in his gi with the belt on display behind him, looking like it’s just another night at the office.

Rogan tells us that Machida’s father went from Japan to Brazil, fell in love with a Brazilian woman, and “raised his son to be a killer.” Sounds like the backstory of a character in a Van Damme movie.

Round 1

Shogun attempts a body kick and misses big. Machida grabs a thai clinch and fires off a flurry of knees to the body. Already he looks faster than Rua, who’s having a little trouble figuring out where Machida is going to be. Rua clinches and presses Machida against the fence. Machida defends and stays on his feet, and Rua almost seems content with a stalemate for the moment. Rua lands a nice kick to the body, and it might be the most significant strike Machida has taken in his UFC career. A couple leg kicks land for Rua, then another right kick to the ribs. Machida may actually lose this round. Either he’s being very patient, or a little too cocky.

Wow, the UFC seems to have hired a Portuguese translator to tell us what’s being said in the corners. It’s about damn time.

Round 2

Rua is scoring by running in on Machida with kicks. He may be finding the range now, and Machida seems surprised by all the kicks to the body. Machida lands a good straight right that backs Rua up, perhaps his best strike of the fight. Rua continues to pound Machida with kicks to the body. Machida is wincing in pain every time one lands, and his ribs are glowing red at this point. Rua clinches against the cage and lands a knee to the groin area – also known as Machida’s beverage dispenser – but Machida doesn’t want to stop. Rua lands a few good knees to the thigh before the end of the round, and this one might be 2-0. Crazy, right?

Round 3

Again Rua pounds those ribs, and Machida looks like he’d really prefer for Shogun to cut that out. Machida lands sharp right hand lead that makes it through Rua’s defenses, but he seems content to throw one strike at a time right now. Rua is using his kicks to control the distance, and the pace slows a little midway through the third, which the crowd doesn’t care for. Rua gains confidence and comes rushing after Machida. In the last minute Machida finally turns it on, backing Rua against the cage with a flurry of punches and low kicks. It’s his most significant burst of offense yet, but Rua fires back with a good right hand. Tough round to call.

Round 4

Rua clearly has his eye on Machida’s ribs, but Machida’s corner seems more worried about the damage his legs have been taking. Machida flicks out a quick head kick, but Rua blocks it without much trouble. Machida slips and Rua rushes in to try and capitalize with a takedown as Machida scrambles away, but he can’t finish it. Both guys are slowing down, but it’s still Rua on the offensive. Rua throws another body kick and Machida blocks it, maybe for the first time all night. From where I’m sitting, it’s at least 3-1 Rua. It’s time for Machida to locate a sense of urgency about keeping that belt.

Round 5

Rua’s corner tells him that he has the fight won, which might be premature, but he’s definitely winning. Machida counters a body kick with a straight right that lands flush to start the fifth, but Rua seems unfazed. He’s still riding the low kick train, and it’s effective. A right hand from Rua catches Machida on the jaw and knocks him backwards. Machida doesn’t seem to realize that he’s behind on the scorecards. Rua is the one pushing the pace, and Machida isn’t offering much offense at all. They finish the fight by trading punches in the center of the Octagon, then both raising their arms in victory after the horn. Seriously, Machida? You really think you won that fight?

Lyoto Machida def. “Shogun” Rua via unanimous decision (48-47 x 3).

Total. Bullshit. The crowd boos the decision and even Machida looks a little surprised, if not stunned. Machida justifies it by pointing out that all three judges saw it for him. That’s true, but one of those judges was Cecil Peoples. So…

Rua says he felt like he won, but refuses to whine about it. That’s honorable, but the fact is Rua got robbed here tonight. I’m sitting right now, trying to think through the fog of the flu, and I cannot come up with an explanation for how Machida got that decision. Just baffling.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go shiver in bed. I bid you all a pleasant evening.

Clearly, based on the quote I just pasted. Everybody thought shogun won.

Link to Sherdog post