Who are you picking for the Machida-Rua rematch, and why?

i thought Shogun won the first fight but i think it cant get any better than that night so i expect Machida to beat him this time.

 

Machida will win more decisively in the rematch i think.

Machida will clearly win the first 2-3 rounds with precise striking and batter Rua's face a bit then Rua will come on strong in the end and really take it to Machida while smashed up from the first couple rounds showing his heart. Machida's early dominance will win him a UD 3-2 or 4-1.

well that's just how I Imagine its gonna go down, I felt Rua did enough to win the first fight but he will be facing a more focused Machida judging by how cut dude looked in recent pics (no homo).

 

Shogun won the first in my opinion and I would love for him to win the second but I am picking Machida by a clear decision this time.

 

I like Shogun this time I didnt see anything from Machida leading me to pick him this time. Machida had no answer for the leg kicks or body kicks and I think had Shogun stepped it he might have scored a stoppage. Both will step it up and be slighty more agressive in this fight which could maybe even lead to Machida knocking out Shogun but Shogun has such a great chin I dont expect it. I like Shogun TKO in 3 by just battering those legs and going in for the kill.

 

Shogun.

For 3 reasons.

1 - He was robbed in the first fight.
2 - If he's at the top of his game , He can win by UD or TKO..
3 - Machida's gameplan works extremely well. But he's been doing the same **** for years.

It's amazing that his gameplan is stil working with 99% of his adversaries...He's got a smart approach for sure. And they all seem to fall into his trap.

The only way for Machida to win is to change his entire modus operandi /gameplan.

Either his first fight vs Shogun will help him and his team (tremendously)..And they'll be opting for a totally different gameplan.

Or He'll fight the exact same way...(like he's been doing since 2003)..Hoping to finish Shogun. If that's the case , Shogun will beat him convincingly in the rematch....

Of course , if the shogun we saw against Coleman & Griffin shows up...Then he's ****ed. But if he's serious about it , and training like hell on his cardio... I think he's gonna be ufc's next LHW champ.

 

Just to add something to the cardio comment. I dont see anyway its like it was vs Coleman/Griffin. You could see when he fought Liddell how much better his body looked and his performence was very sharp like the Shogun who dominated Pride. I think Rua has just got a new S and C coach before that and it showed. It showed up vs Machida to although it wasnt a terribly face past he looked outstanding and was breathing just fine. I think those cardio issues and knee problems atleast for the moment are well past Shogun and hes going to finally get that World Championship.

 

I am saying Shogun. He was robbed in the first fight and I think he will come out and prove he should have won the first time around.

 

Again, it is a close fight. Rua won the last but he is still an unknown quantity because if he gasses then forget about it. Rua not gassing is frightening. Rua gassing is below the level of Griffin and above the level of Coleman.

Machida is seen as the one who can adapt but a Mauy Thai/BJJ specialist can adapt too.

Great, nip and tuck fight. Execution will win when guys of this level fight.

 

Shogun's last couple of opponents haven't tested him the way Griffin/Coleman did with their grappling. I speak from personal experience when I say grappling takes a lot more out of you cardio-wsie than stand up fighting. That being said Shogun's conditioning has looked great lately but I'm interested to see how he holds up against a wrestler.

 

I give this to Rua. We`ll see, it`s a close call. I`d like to see Rua turn it up a notch from the last fight. He is best when he takes some risks and put the pressure on, not pot shotting and countering like the last time. Allthough I thought he won that also.

 

Shogun in a close one!:good