subject: Ufc 104 Betting Lines: Machida Vs. Shogun Preview [print this page] Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida faces off with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in an all Brazilian light heavyweight MMA championship fight for UFC 104 on October 24th at the Staples Center in LA. Shogun is on the comeback trail and looking good, but the champion Machida remains the heavy favorite.
The former MMA PRIDE champion, Shogun Rua is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai champion who is back in peak form and ready to prove it. When he strikes, he strikes with fury at an opponent from all angles sometimes exposing himself a little to land devastating round-house kicks.
He earned the title shot at UFC 97 in Montreal where he knocked Chuck Lidell out of the match and out of MMA with a 1st round left.
The line, at -410, heavily favors the champion Machida.
Machida fights using a unique style dubbed Machida Karate that combines an ancient form of karate called Shotokan Karate and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu as a base and adds techniques from Sumo, Muay Thai, and Wrestling to give him techniques to use in every situation.
The fighting style makes him a very elusive target for other MMA fighters. Machida starts a match avoiding blows as he searches for a weak spot in his opponent. He rarely gets hit as he dances around the ring making the other fighter look clumsy. Then, when he spots his opening, he quickly dispatches his opponent.
Machida's clinical style makes him the obvious UFC 104 betting choice. The Shogun is in top shape, but he's never encountered a fighter like Machida.
