Lyoto Machida Celebrates Controversial win over Maurice"Shogun" Rua
By George Hernandez
(Los Angeles) – The UFC’s first trip to Staples Center in more then three years didn’t disappoint.
In the main event of the night UFC Light Heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (16-0) won his first title defense in controversial fashion over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (18-4). All three judges scored the bout 48-47 for Machida. The bout could have easily went 50-45 (five rounds to none) to Shogun.
Every round was pretty much the same as Machida would try to use his karate style and defensive striking to out point Shogun. Shogun was ready landing more punches and power punches every round on the champion. Shogun was landing hard body kicks all night. Machida landed solid shots of his own but never with the power of Shogun’s.
After the event UFC president Dana White said that there will most likely be a “Shogun/Machida” rematch in the near future.
In the co-main event of the night undefeated heavyweight prospect Cain Velasquez (7-0) made quick work of MMA veteran and UFC newcomer Ben Rothwell (30-7). Velasquez took Rothwell down at will and landed punch after punch. The referee was forced to stop the fight 56 seconds into the second round when Rothwell was answering to strikes. Velasquez looks to be next in line for a title shot.
Champ Lesnar Pulls out of Title Defense
UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar (4-1) has pulled out of his title defense against number one contender Shane Carwin (11-0) due to an illness. The bout was scheduled for UFC 106 on November 21.
Other Results from UFC 104;
Gleison Tibau def. Josh Neer by unanimous decision
Joe Stevenson def. Spencer Fisher by TKO – Rd 1
Anthony Johnson def. Yoshiyuki Yoshida by knockout – Rd 1
Ryan Bader defeats Eric Schafer by unanimous decision
Pat Barry def. Antoni Hardonk by TKO – Rd 2
Chael Sonnen def. Yushin Okami by unanimous decision
Jorge Rivera def. Rob Kimmons by TKO – Rd 3
Kyle Kingsbury def. Razak Al-Hassan by split decision
Stefan Struve def. Chase Gormley by submission – Rod 1
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