Before every big MMA fight, Sherdog polls a bunch of fighters, trainers and others in the MMA community and asks them to give their picks. With UFC 104 one day away, it's time to publish the pros' picks for the main event between Lyoto Machida and Shogun Rua -- and it's almost impossible to find anyone picking Shogun.Sherdog polled 23 people and came up with just one -- a 2-2 fighter named Robin Black -- who was willing to make a serious case that Shogun will win. Here's what Black had to say:
When you hear a guy talking about defending his title five times, then fighting Brock Lesnar, you could be forgiven for thinking he's looking past his opponent. Hell, probably everyone is looking past Shogun. His in-your-face style is tailor made for The Dragon's near mythical lightning counter fighting. But don't just arbitrarily count Shogun out. He's a proud, explosive athlete who's been training for his title shot. And this is the UFC. Anything can happen. I'm going out on a limb -- and being mocked by my training partners here at Xtreme Couture Toronto -- and picking Shogun by TKO.
Although I'm picking Machida to win this fight, I actually think there's something to what Black is saying: Machida does sound in his public comments like he's expecting to be the light heavyweight champion for a long time, and Shogun is an explosive fighter who should be in the best shape he's been in since the old Pride days. I like seeing Black sticking his neck out and picking an upset.
I'm not going to join him, though. There's a reason just about everyone is picking Machida.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-23-2009 @ 3:34PM
Eric said...
Everything has come so easily for Machida. I talking about in the ring ... I don't doubt his training commitment.
My point - how will Machida react if Shogun roughs him up, cuts him, knocks him down, etc. Shogun has been there before and shown his fortitude. Has Machida?
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10-23-2009 @ 4:41PM
kevin said...
Rua is gonna end up on his ass if he rushes Machida just like Silva was, and if he doesnt rush him hes gonna end up on his ass like Evans, Tito was the only one to show some sort of weakness in Machida on the ground but i dont think thats an issue anymore
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10-24-2009 @ 3:04AM
neozoo said...
with everyone picking one way,
i'm going the other.
not that i neccassarily think shogun is going to win, but i am going to bet on him if he is indeed that big of an underdog.
why? because in my eyes it should be a fairly even line.
so i'm feel i'm going to be getting a good price for the risk.
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