"UFC 104: MACHIDA VS. SHOGUN" ANNOUNCED FOR STAPLES CENTER IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA ON OCTOBER 24
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) today made the formal announcement that it is “going back to Cali” on Oct. 24.
UFC 104 from the Staples Center is Los Angeles, Calif., is now official, featuring the first title defense for undefeated Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida against fellow Brazilian Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the main event of the evening.
Here’s a snip from company president Dana White on the 205-pound match up:
“It’s been two years since the UFC was in Southern California and we knew we had to bring something special for our return to the capital of mixed martial arts. Lyoto Machida captured the imagination of fight fans with his knockout of Rashad Evans, and while he seems unbeatable right now, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua not only has the tools to beat any 205-pounder in the world, but he’s coming off a knockout of Chuck Liddell in his last fight, so his confidence is sky-high. This has the potential to be one of the greatest Light Heavyweight Title fights ever.”
In addition, the promotion confirmed that rising talent Cain Velasquez and veteran Ben Rothwell will “wage war” in a super-sized Heavyweight showdown.
Velasquez was previously booked to face Shane Carwin in a number one title contender eliminator match; however, “Big Ben” — who will be making his Octagon debut — was inserted recently to free up Carwin to challenge Brock Lesnar for the division title in November.
credit: MMAMania.com
Non so voi, ma per quanto il match possa sembrare scontato sulla carta, e' forse quello che attendo di piu' dei prossimi mesi (assieme a BJ Penn vs. Diego Sanchez), tutto dipende da Shogun.