Before the World Series odds arrive next week, the UFC may treat us to a different kind of Fall Classic this weekend. Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida battles Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the light heavyweight championship at UFC 104 in a matchup between two highly skilled Brazilians. Time to make a pick for Saturday's main event.
Lyoto Machida (15-0)
Notable victories: Rashad Evans, Thiago Silva, Tito Ortiz, B.J. Penn, Rich Franklin
UFC 104 sportsbook odds: -450
The Dragon is a massive favorite for good reason; he's essentially been perfect in his UFC career. Not only has he never lost a professional fight, he's never lost a single round in the Octagon. He's statistically the hardest fighter to hit in the UFC, as he uses his karate stance to keep himself upright and keep his head far away from opposing strikes. He can hurt opponents in many different ways, as he has powerful leg kicks, knockout power in his punches and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Machida is also very patient; he'll likely let Shogun be the aggressor and wait to pounce on a mistake with a counterstrike.
Mauricio Rua (18-3)
Notable victories: Chuck Liddell, Mark Coleman, Rampage Jackson
UFC 104 odds: +325
We can't underestimate Shogun Rua as an opponent for Machida. Once considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Rua is a deadly combination of raw striking power and technical brilliance. Not only can he blow opponents away with his powerful Muay Thai knees, punches and kicks, he can pick opponents apart with accurate combinations. He loves to go for the knockout; 15 of Rua's 18 victories are KOs and 17 of his 18 wins were finishes. He's submitted two opponents thanks to a BJJ black belt of his own.
Online betting pick: Machida -450. Rua is a very dangerous opponent, so he has a puncher's chance; if you're the same type of risk taker who likes the Angels as World Series picks, you could take a flier on Shogun. The problem with him is that he puts himself in harm's way to go for knockouts. Against Machida, that risky strategy will hurt him, as the Dragon will hang back, wait for a mistake, and explode on Rua. Bet on Machida to retain his belt.
Lyoto Machida (15-0)
Notable victories: Rashad Evans, Thiago Silva, Tito Ortiz, B.J. Penn, Rich Franklin
UFC 104 sportsbook odds: -450
The Dragon is a massive favorite for good reason; he's essentially been perfect in his UFC career. Not only has he never lost a professional fight, he's never lost a single round in the Octagon. He's statistically the hardest fighter to hit in the UFC, as he uses his karate stance to keep himself upright and keep his head far away from opposing strikes. He can hurt opponents in many different ways, as he has powerful leg kicks, knockout power in his punches and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Machida is also very patient; he'll likely let Shogun be the aggressor and wait to pounce on a mistake with a counterstrike.
Mauricio Rua (18-3)
Notable victories: Chuck Liddell, Mark Coleman, Rampage Jackson
UFC 104 odds: +325
We can't underestimate Shogun Rua as an opponent for Machida. Once considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, Rua is a deadly combination of raw striking power and technical brilliance. Not only can he blow opponents away with his powerful Muay Thai knees, punches and kicks, he can pick opponents apart with accurate combinations. He loves to go for the knockout; 15 of Rua's 18 victories are KOs and 17 of his 18 wins were finishes. He's submitted two opponents thanks to a BJJ black belt of his own.
Online betting pick: Machida -450. Rua is a very dangerous opponent, so he has a puncher's chance; if you're the same type of risk taker who likes the Angels as World Series picks, you could take a flier on Shogun. The problem with him is that he puts himself in harm's way to go for knockouts. Against Machida, that risky strategy will hurt him, as the Dragon will hang back, wait for a mistake, and explode on Rua. Bet on Machida to retain his belt.
