In one of the most anticipated battles of 2011 the UFC crosses the northern border for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship as Lyoto Machida takes on Jon Jones in Toronto, Canada for UFC 140.

One of the best strikers in the UFC Jones is also dangerous when the fight gets to the ground. Quick on his feet with the front kick Machida is also dangerous on the ground as we have already seen. The fight makes for the match of styles of the year in the UFC and is too close to pick.

The once reputed Huntington Beach Bad Boy, Tito Ortiz, is quickly becoming a fan favourite again. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira will fight Ortiz on the undercard of Machida vs. Jones and should prove to be bout that won’t disappoint.

Not smart enough to stop coming after a fighter once he is hurt Nogueira knows only one speed. Healthy for the first time in five years Ortiz is like a new man in the ring. The fans will get their money’s worth on this one in spite of the fact that this fight will not go the distance.

In the heavyweight battle “Big Nog” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira takes on Frank Mir which could be last fight for the loser. Looking bad in recent fights both Mir and Nogueira will be kicked to the curb by Dan White if one of them puts in a poor performance. Both fighters are under a lot of pressure in this one.

Can’t make this fight? No problem you can still get in on the action at an online sports betting site.

Two fighters coming off of tough losses meet at UFC 123 as light-heavyweights Lyoto Machida and Quinton Jackson get set to meet in the octagon on Saturday, November 20 in Detroit, Michigan on Pay Per View.

The UFC odds list Rampage as a heavy underdog paying +220 while Machida pays just -280.

Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida is an elusive fighter who cautiously probes his opponents looking for an opening until he sees his chance to end the fight. He spends a lot of time retreating from his opponents and is a rare Karate practitioner in MMA.

Machida is coming off of a first KO loss to Mauricio Rua at UFC 113 that saw him lose the Light Heavyweight Championship title. The fight was close with both fighters scoring points through striking and Machida scoring a takedown. The fight ended when Rua countered a Machida left hook dazing the champion enough to seize a full mount and ground-and-pound him until being awarded the KO.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is the kind of straight-forward striker that Machida has beaten handily on a number of occasions. Still, Machida’s lone loss was a KO that came as a result of stand up technique so he is not invulnerable.
Jackson’s last fight was a loss to rival Rashad Evans at UFC 114 for a shot at Rua and the Light Heavyweight Championship title. Evans and Jackson had been feuding since they both appeared as coaches on TUF season 10.

This fight is Machida’s fight to lose. Whenever he enters the ring, he is in control and only a mistake by him can change that. While he is not invulnerable, I wouldn’t bet on him making too many mistakes even against someone like Jackson who has the power to turn a single mistake in to a victory.

UFC 123 pre-fight interviews with Rampage Jackson and Lyoto Machida.

The best part of the Rampage interview comes when he takes a dig at Machida’s unexciting style saying, ”I just hope Machida comes to fight and consider the fans and put on an exciting fight.”

Machida’s interview is about as exciting as his fights. He follows his plan saying pretty much exactly what you would expect from him. “There is a lot that can be said until the Octagon gates lock. Once the gate is locked, anything can happen.”

Machida is heavily favored in UFC lines paying at -280 while Jackson pays +220.

UFC 123 features Quinton Jackson going up against Lyoto Machida in a light-heavyweight matchup that features the raw, devastating power of Rampage going up against the sublime skills of Machida.

The highlight of UFC 113 was definitely the redemption of Mauricio Rua. He left no doubt as to who deserves the light-heavyweight title in his fight with Lyoto Machida. But there was plenty more drama including Paul Daley doing his best to end his own career with a cheap shot after his fight with Josh Koscheck ended and Kimbo Slice dropping a bout to someone he was supposed to easily win.

Next up is UFC 114 headlined by Rashad Evans and Quinton Jackson. Rampage is the early favorite, but at -125 this is one of the closest UFC odds matchups ever.

On Saturday May 8, 2010, Mauricio Rua will square off against current light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida at UFC 113. This fight is expected to be an epic battle because of the history between these two fighters.

Lyoto Machida has had quite an impressive UFC career. He has won 8 out of 8 UFC fights so far and is a perfect 16-0 in his professional fighting career. Machida has walked over the majority of his opponents in his professional career. The only true contender in any of his UFC fights has been Rua, the opponent set to face off against Machida on May 8th. (more…)

Last year’s fight between Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua was easily the most controversial UFC fight of the year. Machida defended his light-heavyweight championship in a unanimous decision, but Shogun Rua had clearly done the most damage and was the winner in the fan’s eyes. UFC 113 will bring us the real match to show who is truly the best light-heavyweight on the planet.

Lyoto Machida UFC 113 odds list the champion as the favorite at -200 versus Shogun Rua.

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua finally gets another shot to prove that the Light Heavyweight belt really should belong to him after pummeling Lyoto Machida, but losing the fight on the decision.