FACEBOOK TWITTER RSS APP PODCAST Opinion & Analysis : The Specialists STYLES CLASH: UFC 104's Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio Rua - How their styles differ and who is likely to prevail

Oct 22, 2009 - 5:21:00 PM

By Anthony Berriola, MMATorch Specialist

THE FIGHTERS

UFC light-heavyweight champion, Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida, is regarded as one of the most unique fighters to have entered the cage in several years. He holds a pro record of 15 wins without a loss and hasn't lost a single round in his entire career. Son of a Shotokan Karate Master, Machida developed a very original style combining his extensive Karate background with knees, kicks and elbows of Muy Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a style he calls "Machida Karate."

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, former Pride Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Winner, is now among the best in the light-heavyweight UFC division. Coming off an amazing KO victory over Chuck Liddell and a last second KO over "Hammer" Coleman, he boasts a record of 18 wins 3 losses with 15 knockouts. He is a former Chute Boxe fighter, for those of you that don't know what that means, it means your aggression is equal to your skill in the cage. They are the original academy for training Vale Tudo, which means "anything goes," and are known to be very aggressive and establish the pace rather than wait and counter

THEIR STYLES

Joe Rogan would describe Machida as "elusive" because of his unorthodox stance, it looks like a typical Karate Front Stance but he leans his weight on his rear leg. This technique allows Machida extra to gain distance, forcing his opponents to extend as they attack thus leaving themselves open upon missing for an infamous Machida counter-strike. From this stance, Machida is also capable of throwing kicks with virtually no projection, these phantom-like kicks have incredible power and pose a heavy threat in frustrating his opponent while keeping them at bay which allows him to foresee an attack and prepare his counter. Let's not overlook the fact that he is a black belt in Jiu Jitsu, and has a strong take down defense.

Shogun Rua is among the most powerful in his weight class and has proven so throughout his MMA career. He is usually the aggressor and likes to use his big leg kicks to set up his strikes and open up his opponents for his powerful right hooks. His ground skills are not to be overlooked, he is also a black belt in Jiu Jitsu, which he hasn't had to show much of because his opponents usually hit the ground asleep rather than by takedown. He has significant submission losses against Babalu Sobral, Kevin Randleman, and Mark Coleman (which he snapped his arm in 2006 during a Pride Event in their first meeting).

THE FIGHT

Although Shogun is normally an aggressor, don't expect him to come out flying in this fight because it is going to take time to figure Machida out (if he can at all). He will lead with cautious jabs and try to keep Machida at bay with some kicks while waiting for a takedown opportunity where Shogun is superior in this match up. I feel the ground be his goal in this fight because Machida showed a little weakness on the ground when he was almost choked out by a triangle from Tito Ortiz in UFC 84... If he can get Machida to his back, Shogun has to use his strength to keep Machida's back to the cage where his movement is limited and it's easier to inflict damage. Even if Shogun ends up on his back, he has the strength advantage for a submission from there is very well at transitioning back to the top.

This strategy is going to be just as hard as fighting Machida standing up because of his takedown defense. Machida obviously knows of Shogun's KO power but, as stated, he is very elusive and extremely patient on his feet. And until someone figures out how to move around his unorthodox stance, he is nearing impossible to take down. Machida is extremely smart and confident in his style and will stick to his usual tactic of a slow and very relaxed pace, he will try to pick Shogun apart with his quick kicks and await the frustration in Shogun which ultimately would lead to a devastating counter-strike. Shogun's experience will keep his frustration to a minimum so expect a slow and strategic fight and unless he can get Machida to the mat I don't think Shogun will be able to figure out how to get around the unfamiliar style of Machida and will ultimately end up awaiting a rematch like the 15 others.

PREDICTION: Machida is too confusing and frustrating, Shogun tires in the 4th and is KO'd. (Some of my teammates will disagree with my opinion, but how do you bet against a guy crazy enough to drink his own urine)!

[Lyoto Machida art credit Cory Gould (c) MMATorch]

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