Lyoto Machida vs. Shogun Rua 2 Prediction – UFC 113

LYOTO MACHIDA vs. MAURICIO RUA
Fight Overview:  A highly anticipated rematch following Machida’s extremely controversial decision win last time.  Shogun was the more aggressive and effective of the two, so it’s interesting to see how Machida has adapted his gameplan for the second fight.

Machida’s Strengths:  Machida has excellent hand speed, incredible takedown defense, and great counterpunching.  He is also notoriously hard to hit.

Machida’s Weaknesses:  His only weakness is that he tends to rely too heavily on backpedaling and counterpunching at the expense of pressing the action.

Rua’s Strengths:  Rua has great Muay Thai, underrated submissions, excellent ground and pound, and one of the sport’s most ruthless clinch attacks.

Rua’s Weaknesses:  Stylistically, Rua is very complete, but he tends to overextend himself sometimes and go a little bit crazy.

The Verdict:  I think this fight is going to play out very similarly to the last one, minus the absurd decision at the end.  Machida is too entrenched in his counterpunching mindset, and Shogun already proved he can make him pay for that with leg kicks and body work.  I expect a unanimous decision for Shogun.

Fight Prediction:  And new LHW Champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua by unanimous decision.

• Bet big on the UnderDog Rua @+155 for the Win.

• The odds on Rua may slim down, so get your bet in sooner rather than later. 

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