Two-fight UFC veteran and undefeated Ryoto Machida (10-0) is the likely opponent for Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (16-2) at UFC 76, according to recent statements from UFC President Dana White in The Gainesville Sun.
Here’s the quick snip:
“…. White said Rua’s most likely first opponent will be Ryoto Machida …”
Machida has toppled Sam Hoger and David Heath — in rather unceremonious fashion (decisions) — since his UFC arrival from the World Fighting Alliance (WFA) earlier this year.
The 205-pound fighter also has previous wins over former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin, as well as other UFC notables such as Stephan Bonnar and BJ Penn.
Machida gets a bum wrap for having somewhat of a “boring” style. He’s an effective counter striker who forces and frustrates opponents to fight his type of fight. That could all change, however, on September 22 at UFC 76 in Anaheim, Calif., against Rua.
Shogun is perhaps the most talented mixed martial artist in the light heavyweight division today. The Brazilian has an aggressive style, putting away nearly 90 percent of his opponents early.
White has mentioned in previous interviews that Rua will earn a title shot if he can win in his debut against a “tough” opponent.
Until now, it was rather unclear who that would be. But Machida certainly fits the description.
This should be a solid match up.
35 Comments »
This would be a very tough fight for both fighters! You may think it’s like feeding Machida to the lions, but Machida may be able to just keep him away and slowly take him apart since he’s got the fast hands and quick kicks. I think Shogun needs to get close to win and may be doing the scrambling like he did with Overeem. I think Machida’s too focused for that to happen though. Machida by decision
that would be a really nice match up if it happens, i like machida despite his “boring” style, i think he hits hard and fights smart, i know rua is the man, but this is not walk in the park, i like that dana and the ufc are gonna give him a test in his octaon debut, he’ll have to earn that title shot for sure…
It’s not a free win, that’s for sure. I still would rather see Dana White feed him Stephan Bonnar though.
[quote comment=”100513″]It’s not a free win, that’s for sure. I still would rather see Dana White feed him Stephan Bonnar though.[/quote]
lol, I think Stephan Bonnar would be the one being fed to Shogun
i heard that machida will be fighting in anaheim but who his opponent will be is uncertain it could be shogun but i doubt it. i am going out there on a limb but i think he might be fighting either lidell or forest griffin. that’s my opinion but both fighters are due fro another fight. but hey i would take shogun vs machida also. that would be a great fight i just don’t think shogun first fight in the octagon would be against a good opponent but a throwaway like they gave rampage and cro cop.
Shogun will get killed!
I love watching machida fight, to me he is very exciting, i do think its a bad first match up for shogun, hes aggressive thats what machida likes, cant wait to see it.
This might end up being a draw (like the Ortiz vs. Rashad fight)
The acronym IBWISI applies to rumors that this board reports:
“I’ll Believe It When I See It”
IF it happens, it would be a very tough, competitive fight. Both guys are at or near the top of the food chain.
It’s about time they don’t give one of their newcomers a stepping stone. I’d have to go with Machida by decision on this one.
This is the chance that Machida has needed. As a Machida fan I have to pick him to win.
Someone mentioned how Shogun aggression feeds into Machida insane counter-game. I totally agree. I think that Machida has the advantage here, not because of skill, of which they both have too much to comprehend, but because of the styles.
Machida is the Man!
If this happens this could be jeporady for Shogun’s first fight in the octagon. Machida literally is NO JOKE, sure he has a nack for taking fights to decisions, but this guy is for real, he has knocked out Rich Franklin standing up boxing with him.
Shogun will show Cage-Fright just like Herring, Big Nog, Ramapage, and even Cro Cop.
I say Machida upsets Shogun, if it happens.
i disagree with all of you, shogun by tko rd.2 machidas counter fighting isnt enough to counter shogun.
i see this going similarily if longer than chuck rampage2
by that i mean shogun = rampage and chuck = machida
This is a great match up. Shogun drew a very respected name to make his name in the UFC
Interesting but there seems to be a trend about Machida beating Shogun as Mamasboy said IBWISI which I agree.
“I’ll Believe It When I See It”
i am more interested in seen how shogun adjusts to the new fighting style…no stomps kicks to down opponent n the cage….on the other hand machida is a great competiter but is a very boring fighter more like arlovski that in mind shogun will destroy him!!!
Machida is unpredictable fighter. You cannot tell if he’s gonna for a punch or go for a takedown. One of a kind! However, Rua is pure power and technical. Good Fight!
No disrespect Mania, I HIGHLY doubt this fight will be Rua’s first fight in the UFC. Especially after sat.
Ok hes stopped 90% of his oponents but how many of those have been from stomps or soccer kicks,about 80%,hes gonna struggle in the UFC and Im the only person who seems to see that.
Thats true about the head and soccer kicks, its not allowed in the ufc
[quote comment=”101048″]Ok hes stopped 90% of his oponents but how many of those have been from stomps or soccer kicks,about 80%,hes gonna struggle in the UFC and Im the only person who seems to see that.[/quote]
Whoa… Im actually agreeing with you AGAIN….
Ryoto Machida will be LHW or MW Champion in years to come, his fighting style is a nightmare to overcome, as MMA up an comers (Hoger, Bonnar, Heath) have found aswell as a couple of veterans like Penn and Franklin. People think he is too light for LHW, but i think he can beat any LHW in the world on his day, his level of focus in fights is also very admirable, he doesn’t seem to be phased by crowds booing, so he can stay calm and execute pure strategy Rua vs Machida= Machida win by unanimous decision/split decision.
[quote comment=”100647″]This is the chance that Machida has needed. As a Machida fan I have to pick him to win.
Someone mentioned how Shogun aggression feeds into Machida insane counter-game. I totally agree. I think that Machida has the advantage here, not because of skill, of which they both have too much to comprehend, but because of the styles.[/quote]
I totally agree Machida is a very exciting fighter. They screwed him over in his last fight. He was being billed as one of the main undercard fights. That fight was on the official ufc 70 website and then they didn’t show it during the paperview. I was so disappointed because I was looking forward to that fight.
[quote comment=”101010″]No disrespect Mania, I HIGHLY doubt this fight will be Rua’s first fight in the UFC. Especially after sat.[/quote]
I would have to agree. I would be suprised if it were Shoguns first fight in the UFC. Although it is a fight that I would love to see.
Machida is going to get his first loss, mark my words.
Should be a dope ass fight bothe guys are able to get the belt and hold it at anytime their very good I think better than what we have seen in their weight class as of lateley who ever wins should immediatley fight for the belt and dont be surprised if one of them two takes it these guys are the real deal I beleive that either can beat Anderson Silva with no problems, yup their that good, shogun is a beast and so is Machida.
machida is a tough opponent, but you are talking about the BEST fighter in the world other than Fedor. He will not get stopped by Machida. Shogun will win and then continue to dominate rampage like he did in the first fight. Shogun has fought the best and has won. He’ll submit a wrestler and KO and a striker. No way will he lose.
why does rampage jackson come in to fight a cream puff like Eastman n immediatly get a title fight when shogun…a guy that destroyed rampage…. has to fight a powerhouse like machida… i just think its odd n not fair but it doesnt matter rua should win tko second round….but if he loses its a big loss for the UFC they should market the guy like they did rampage cuz rua is 100 times better
Machida by submission, watch the McDonald fight
[quote comment=”102525″]machida is a tough opponent, but you are talking about the BEST fighter in the world other than Fedor. He will not get stopped by Machida. Shogun will win and then continue to dominate rampage like he did in the first fight. Shogun has fought the best and has won. He’ll submit a wrestler and KO and a striker. No way will he lose.[/quote]
Its all about Rampage having a previous W over Chuck Lidell. Now if rampage goes on a tear and cleans out the division, guys like Shogun who have a W over Rampage will have an easier road to the title shot.
Right now Rampage is an untested Champ, so having a W over hiom right now isn’t as big a deal as it was for rampage having the win over Chuck, does that make sense?
[quote comment=”100536″]Shogun will get killed![/quote]
shogun would kill him