Issue 072
February 2011
Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua vs Lyoto Machida, UFC 113, May 8, 2010
No doubt the appeal of ‘Shogun’ Rua’s knockout of Lyoto Machida is due to vindication as much as skill and shock value. Rua rode a wave of goodwill into his second matchup with the previously undefeated ‘Dragon’ at UFC 113.
The first five-round bout in 2009 ended with Shogun on the end of a decision so hotly debated that an immediate rematch was inked shortly after. Many believed Shogun was the rightful owner of Machida’s UFC light heavyweight belt; a perfectly timed right hand and ground-‘n’-pound follow-up made it so.
Runners-up
Anthony Njokuani over Chris Horodecki, WEC 45; Cain Velasquez over Antonio Nogueira, UFC 110; Mike Russow over Todd Duffee, UFC 114; Rich Franklin over Chuck Liddell, UFC 115.
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