UFC 104 Preview and Predictions
The Staple Centers in Los Angeles, California will play host to UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun. These two Brazilian warriors may be headlining the event but this card is stacked and features a number of entertaining bouts. Some will step into the octagon looking to move up in their division while others are fighting to keep their reputations and careers intact.
Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio Rua
Lyoto Machida is not only one of the most technically sound fighters in the UFC, but MMA period. This guy is very elusive and strikes with such a fierce suddenness that makes him both powerful and scary. Machida rarely takes a hit when stepping into the octagon. Just ask Rashad Evans, who barely landed a single blow before getting knocked out in the Dragon’s last fight.
When at his very best, like when he knocked out Chuck Liddell, Mauricio Rua is a force to reckoned with. Unfortunately, his outings prior to then have been lackluster performances that have raised many questions. This doubt leads us to believe that Shogun will suffer a knockout defeat sooner than later at the hands of the Dragon.
Cain Velasquez vs. Ben Rothwell
Originally scheduled to face Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez will now step into the octagon against UFC newcomer Ben Rothwell as Carwin has been bumped up to title status to face Brock Lesnar at UFC 106. Undefeated in his UFC career, Velasquez has won four straight fights, including an impressive unanimous decision victory against Cheick Kongo. While new to the UFC ring, Rothwell is an MMA veteran who has won 14 of his last 15 fights, which includes notable victories over Kryzysztof Soszynski, Ricco Rodriguez, Travis Fulton and Roy Nelson. This one should be an all out slugfest but look for Rothwell to pull out a decision win and solidify himself as a contender in the UFC Heavyweight division.
Josh Neer vs. Gleison Tibau
Josh Neer will be replacing an injured Sean Sherk to square off against Gleison Tibau. Neer is coming off a disappointing unanimous decision loss to Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 101, bringing his overall record in the promotion to 4-4. Tibau lost his last fight in controversial fashion to Melvin Guillard at the TUF 9 Finale, a bout that several observers believe he should have won. Similar to Neer, Tibau’s UFC stint has been rather inconsistent as he has been not able to establish nothing more than a two fight winning streak over the last two years. Both fighters are very unpredictable, but history says it’s time for Josh Neer to seize another victory and send Tibau tumbling down the lightweight division .
Joe Stevenson vs. Spencer Fisher
Stevenson vs. Fisher is a sure to be fantastic match between two of the UFC’s up and coming lightweight fighters. Joe snapped a two fight losing streak with a unanimous decision win over Nate Diaz at the TUF Season 9 Finale while Spencer comes in winning three in a row. This should be a very intriguing matchup of two different styles. Fisher prefers to stand and go after the knockout and while Stevenson can slug it out with the best of them, his ground game is vicious and threatens any fighter who dares take it to the canvas. This one is tough to call but we expect Fisher to secure a KO and prove to the UFC that he is still one of the lightweight elites.
Anthony Johnson vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
Anthony Johnson will take a two fight winning streak into the Staples Center against Yoshiyuki Yoshida. Johnson’s most recent win came over Luigi Fioravanti, bringing the up and coming welterweight’s record to 7-2. Yoshida is coming in with a submission victory over Brandon Wolff at UFC 98, making him 2-1 in his last three fights. Although Yoshida has suffered crucial losses to Josh Koscheck and Jon Koppenhaver, nine of his 11 career victories have come via referee stoppage. Johnson has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons lately but not even a clean slate would stop him from crumbling from the iron fists of the fast striking Yoshida.