They're just opinions, buddy. Everyone's entitled and I respect yours. I enjoy a good [supported] debate or difference of opinion, but most everything around here ends up "you suck a bag of dicks".

But I hear ya. Regardless of how he got here, Shogun is here now and if he does well, it'll be good for a division in need of some fresh faces, not fresh feces.

@ goog

PS. No homo

Goog . . . I don't think anybody's even got a real shot at beating Machida but Shogun or Jon Jones. You give Shogun 2/10 wins against Machida and I think it's closer to 6/10. Jones, I'd give 2-3/10 but that's a damn sight more than I'd give anybody else in the division, at this point.

Thanks for being so gracious, too. Tangling with you and then working it out actually brightened my day considerably, strange as that may sound.

macreadysshack... for sure. It'll take me a couple fights to warm up to Shogun, but I do acknowledge his past accomplishments. I just don't give him instant credit now for things he did 5 years ago. I used to dislike Machida, too, but he put together a huge run recently and really won me over. Shogun seems like a humble guy and all they'll have to do is put him against Rampage to make me the biggest Rua fan in the cosmos. But he came in with little more than a reputation, looked like crap, took a loss, and beat... Liddell and Coleman? I don't think he was next for a title shot, but that's not the first or last injustice I'll see in the UFC. And if Shogun can get back to and maintain some of his old form, that'll be fun to watch.

In the meantime, I hope Machida floats at the top.

Addressing another point you made: It IS frustrating that people are so capricious - jumping on the next winner's nut sack. One of the things that sucks about Machida losing is that he had JUST FINALLY shrugged off that 'boring' label and momentum was finally building up with people respecting his ridiculous skills. I just wish he could've cemented that a little longer because people ARE so fickle. Machida's day in the sun was WAY too short.

Who knows, though. Maybe . . . The sun will come out . . . tomorrow . . .

Just want to see Machida get what he deserves: respect.

Haha, goog, I'm the one that said that the belt's a slut! Holy shit, did I have a funny comment today? Alright alright, I'll settle down now . . .

My respect for Machida borders on hugging. It's a fine line. That's what makes me so fucking impressed with Shogun. I've always liked Shogun, anyway - I felt sad that it took him so long to figure out how to adapt to whatever the hell he needed to adapt to to maximize his potential here in the States. I don't know what it was. Was it the big spectacle of the UFC? Pride was a big ass show so I kinda doubt it (haven't yet been to a UFC, tho, so I can't REALLY speak to the energy). Maybe he got his 'supplement' plan adjusted so he could perform better and not get caught. Maybe he just lost focus for awhile. I really wish I knew - what makes a fighter perform well or fall on his face is really interesting to me.

Saturday night, I watched a fight between two guys that I didn't want to see lose. I was so excited because seeing two guys at their level fighting each other is like seeing the best kung-fu movie ever made with zero dialogue or subtitles. My only regret is that it was so short. I wanted 22 minutes of it and then a CLEAR decisive finish.

I wish Randy and Rampage would drop down a few rungs, too. Let's get Jon Jones up there, Lil' Nog, Machida, Shogun . . . these men are true professional martial artists. They're not snotty nosed entitled bitches (Rampage) or guys whose time at the very top is done and should be keeping the shit out of the gate (Randy as the black knight, "None shall pass!" - that's where I think he belongs and, after his awesome career, what's wrong with that?)

No, you didn't need to be sarcastic but I don't blame you for a second. I jumped to an incorrect conclusion and then lectured you like an arrogant prick. I'm a moody sonofabitch and thats the truth. Sorry 'bout that, bro.

@macreadysshack

No problem. I didn't need to be sarcastic, either. My bad. You're also one of the safer regulars around here.

I think they're both good fighters, but my comment was again how fast the opinions change on these guys based on one fight. It was never likely that Shogun was "gonna kill" a guy with a 15-0 record any more than Machida would kill him. Neither one could even finish the last one. I know that hype is part of the game, but I don't know why a guy racks up a record like that and goes to the back of the line after a single loss. Yeah, Machida got caught and that can happen to anyone. It'll happen to Lesnar. Everyone loses. I did resent the fact that Shogun got the immediate rematch.

And 9/10... eh... okay, 8/10. I still think Machida's style is problematic for everyone. And I, too, believe that the way they both fell played a part... just like it did for Machida knocking out T Silva. If he'd had one second to pull his knees up, it might have been a different story.

I also just don't care for the LHW picture right now. Like someone said earlier... that belt's a slut. And Randy Couture and Rampage hanging around the "top" of the division just gives me nothing to look forward to for the next year and a half.

So this guy has surgery and comes back to whoop ass, but people are still trying to defend BJ Penn's case of vaginitis? Unreal

I'm not a Shogun hater by a long way! I really liked watching his old Pride videos, in fact I liked watching Pride fullstop. I am not sure why, but from a spectacle POV, I think Pride was better.

We'll see Shogun hopefully tested on his stand-up against the likes of Jones Bones and Bader.

Coming to FOX this fall....He's a basketball player and international celebrity.....He's a mixed martial artist with nothing to lose....they're cops......and this time....no refs


dum dum DUMMMMM


Shaqgun will be the most popular show in tv history.


Fox will cancel it after 9 episodes.

I just come here for the centerfolds....

@goog

PS. I don't know why I was such a dick to you earlier. I reread what I wrote - fucking silly.

I've seen you around here a lot and always appreciate your comments (almost always - Machida 9/10!?!?!?!).

@Goog

I thought you were talking about the comments here, not the fifth paragraph of the story (which is totally NOT 'right under the big picture at the top'). I totally misunderstood that part of what you wrote.

I definitely think TATAME's Guilherme Cruz is jumping the gun with that statement and I'd love to know who he's hearing these 'whispers' from.

I apologize for that misunderstanding. That said, you give Machida 9/10 fights with Shogun? That's just hugging. Machida's a fucking master but so is Rua.

We have some common ground, though. Ryan Bader? I mean, WTF?

BTW, I know it's a rare day that I actually write something funny. So, fuck yes I am checking this bitch . . . I do read the articles, tho.

@ccman

I read on Bloody Elbow your teary-eyed analysis of how the owner of your favorite nuts to hug, Machida, lost the fight. So I'm wondering how pissing on Shogun makes your boy look better?

He did look a little flabby..

I'd buy crack from Shaq, but only if he autographed the rocks first.

That would be a great team up. Shogun and Shaq could ride around on one of Shaq's big ass choppers, dispensing vigilante justice and trying not to get picked off by angry red necks a la Easyrider.

When's Seagal fighting for the belt? I think he should get the fast track into title contention based on his past accomplishments and performances. War Steven Seagal, Cock Puncher!

Actually art, that's good tape work/preparation. Skill would have landed the hit he claims he saw over and over in the first fight.

And again... everything he has done to add props from this fight gets erased if he takes randy for first defense. Says he wants to avoid challenges, not seek them out. Makes the champ monikor lose all weight ala mayweather-esque.

@ Macreadysshack

I can see you're in a hurry to get right to the comments section to see if anyone thought you were funny today and skipped right over the article itself, so here it is... again. Right from under the big picture at the top.

"When told by TATAME's Guilherme Cruz that there have been whispers that Rua could very well be the most dominant light heavyweight in MMA history, Shogun quickly dismissed the talk..."


Shogun landed a well timed shot. End of story. He's not gonna last.

Rua practiced that overhand right. He said that Machida's defense leaves him exposed to the exact punch that Rua used to finish the fight. That's not luck; that's skill.

Yeah hes doing undercover cop work down there with Shaq as we speak. Nothin says perfect cover like a 7 foot tall celebrity with a fake mustache and a Brazilian who just keeps saying, "I'd like to thank all the fans" and then lapsing into Portuguese over and over. I'd buy drugs from them.

@ Almost North (mid-latitudes?)

Oh, thanks for clearing that up for me. Does that mean he's going to get deputized in Jefferson Parish and get to patrol the streets for hop-heads and crackies? I've heard that everyone Steven Seagal dragon punches only come back to life so he can be their Sensei.

Is elentius "thisradinjun" spelled backwards? He's going to get himself a U (unsatisfactory) in "plays well with others on the playground". Child psychologists have field days with that shit.

Shogun is a Japanese fighter who won the Asian version of TUF called PRIDE, but then he died after being dragon punched by Steven Seagal in a bar and his reanimated corpse got choked out by Forrest Griffin, who is the greatest and most underrated fighter of all time. He isn't very popular over here though cause he has love handles, only speaks Japanese, and he buys his fight gear from a used panty vending machine in Tokyo

.

Little did we know Shogun won the fight by crushing the juice from his own appendix and then consuming it after the weigh ins.

Who the heck is this Shogun character, anyway? Is he one of those guys from season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter that I keep hearing put on the greatest MMA fights the world has ever seen? I've only been watching TUF since season 7 and I find it much more entertaining than these stupid Pay-per-views you guys get all excited about. Maybe if they could cook up some better story lines for those things I'd use some of my allowance and have my Mom order one for me.

@Almost North

Do you mean "man paste?"

If man panties are "manties" then it follows that man paste is "maste"

Which is to say that Elentius's name would be masted on Machida's manties, if he wore them.

Just clarifyin'

^^ +1s to both.

@Organ Donor

Thats not paste dude.

Elentius claims to not like Machida, claims that Rua's win was lucky, and claims that karate is the mother of all striking styles. Right.

I suppose it's true that nut-hugging is a higher form of affection than simply liking. If Machida were ever to sport a pair of manties they would have Elentius pasted on the crotch.

@ ytrebil - I see what you're trying to get at, but it seems like you are making it sound like Rua's win was lucky, and that Machida wasn't that game of an opponent this time around. Maybe that right hook was misplaced or lucky, but he instantly took advantage of it and took Machida out. There hasn't seemed to be many other fighters capable of getting into a position to even land a lucky shot against Machida, much less capitalize on it like Shogun did.

I don't think this fight makes a mockery of the division at all. The fact that the belt has changed hands so many times shows how competitive this division is. I guess I'm just not sure why you're not impressed with Shogun? It almost seems like you're still judging him by the Griffin and Coleman fights. When Shogun is in top form he is a destroyer. Look what he did during his run in Pride. Now that he seems to be back in shape since his surgeries, he has 3 impressive fights under his belt in the UFC. Beating the guys he has in they way he does, has nothing to with luck.

Anyway, I'm definitely not flaming you. just disagreeing.

@Elentius

Saying that 'Striking styles came from Karate' is so ridiculous. Karate is one of the branches on the tree of striking styles.

Everybody knows that the root of all striking styles, the impetus to learn them in the first place, comes from marrying bitches like Jenna Jameson.

@Wifey, I'm going for some 'hot pink' tighties for the beach. I'm worried it'll clash horribly with my sunburn by about day 3 though.

Just need to get Ryan in a pair of mankies. Man, if he sports some serious Rua-esque mankies, I think it's game over for the 205 division.

Elentius Says:

"LOL! Striking styles came from Karate ya moron."


O RLY?

"Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

Haha!

Keith Jardine may not be that good... any more, but Bader kicked his arse more than Rampage did, plus he has gone 3-0 in his UFC career (4-0 if you include the TUF finale fight against Vinny). Dan Hardy did just as much to get a title shot, Brock did less and I'm sure there are other examples.

But I appreciate Bader would probably have to pick up another win or 2 against more fierce competition (Thiago Silva, Rashad Evans, Rampage, Bones Jones, Belfort...).

I think Bader is the real deal from what I've seen. I like the guy too, pretty humble and looks to have a great work ethic.

/badernuthugger

LOL! Striking styles came from Karate ya moron.

iDestroy>> Thanks for reminding me. For anyone that wants to cry "bandwagon" when i talk about Shogun, please refer to my P4P list last month.

***

Ben&Mike>> Where's the official CagePotato P4P list? We need more (legitimate) reasons to make fun of you guys.

Does Organ Donor mean that you donate yours to your boyfriend every night? You must be a Rua fan so I guess it was terrible when Forrest beat him. Forrest's style is not good for Rua and Forrest would simply beat him again. I don't like Rua or Machida, but fair is fair. You are a little light in your loafers.

Holy hell! Shoguns the effin man! Imagine how bad he would killed that hip shakin piss drinkin faggot if he woulda had a full camp!

WAR SHOGUN!! P4P GREATEST IN THE WORLD SON.

+1 Jon Jones. He's got what it takes.

Spoken like a true champion indeed.

Karate Is Back (to square one)

Not saying that Rua is the greatest of all time but he is proven. He isnt just a guy that fought some scrubs and became a contender and won by a lucky punch. He has kick a lot of ass in his career. Dont even want to take the time to see who made the rediculous post about Machida winning 9 out of 10 times. Uh he is 0-2 in my book.

Rex

I am cheering for Evans but i think Rampage is going to win. Evans if he gets back to the basics and quits with the "show boating, suga sweet pants shit" has a good chance in doing big things for a while at 205.

Elentius must be Latin for "sand in his manties"

A Fact That Makes His Win Over Machida LESS Impressive:

Going on record that he wants to fight Randy Fucking Couture next.

So Machida wins the first match, no matter what you say. Rua wins the second in a match where he was not dominating and managed to land a good shot which happens often, and Machida does not get another shot?! Bullshit! I really hope the UFC has the balls to let Anderson Silva go after it and be the first to hold 2 after he destroys Rua. That or Forrest could just beat him again and get the belt back haha! Forrest beat Rua and the excuses came flying out after that, but Rua is a hero now... please.

Chida got smacked with the same type of shot that nelson landed on schaub, and had a very similar reaction/fall.

Must suck to get hit behind the temple.

@Wifey

Roy Nelson in manties.

That should fix ya.

@ ytrebil... ANYONE can look "impressive" again The Dean of Mean....yes, ANYONE!

@Rex 13

You're right. The killer instinct of Rua is apparent. I called the same thing about a month ago when I noted that Rua is in fact a "certified killah" and would beat Machida if Machida didn't change his game plan. These words went completely over the head of some of you Delaware squares, who insulted my acute, if not blue-collared, analysis of the fight with disparaging comments against my character.

And I'm still fucking pissed!

@Goog, Uh, a quick count shows about 3 out of 40 posts bandwagoning. You're acting like your dad got beat up.

Machida is AWESOME. I've been a fan since he drubbed Tito.

Shogun is AWESOME. He's finally got his sea legs under him in the States.

"Shogun is the most dominant ever"? Where did you quote that from? It's obviously just ALL YOU COULD SEE in any of these posts because your heart was beating so fast - so much emotion :(. That's called 'projecting' my friend.

If Rampage beats Rashad, I believe he'll take the title from Shogun. If Rashad beats Rampage, I think Shogun will keep his title.

May I weigh in on the manty discussion?

As a red blooded american female, I do so love me some manties on hot bodied young men - they make gratuitous ass shots of ring girls bearable.

@ytrebil - too funny dude.

I don't know why the fickle banshees that are MMA fans have suddenly turned on Machida. In his last four fights before fighting Rua for the first time he:

1) Arm-triangled Sokoudjou.
2) Decisioned Tito Ortiz after almost smashing him with a knee (and, let's face it, he was never in danger of tapping to that triangle).
3) Knocked out a then-unbeaten Thiago Silva with a wicked jumping right.
4) Stanky legged Rashad Evans.

He also never lost a round in any of his fights prior to his first face-off with Shogun.

Machida is a great fighter, he just lost to a guy showed up even better. Getting tooled by Rua is hardly grounds to start writing the guy off.

Typical bandwagon stuff here. All of a sudden, Shogun is the most dominant ever? Oddly, less than 2 years ago, he was being ridiculed and called a shell of his former Pride days after being choked out by Griffin and then practically gassing on his way to the octagon against Coleman, who he couldn't finish until Coleman temporarily died from exhaustion himself with less than 30 seconds left in the last round. I'm with the guys who aren't over-impressed with Rua.

It's two trained professionals throwing hard shots at each other's heads... anything can happen. I'd still pick Machida as the safe money 9 out of 10 more rematches. But hell... he only went 15-0. I'm sure you guys are right. He's done. Just like Evan's 15-0 run. He lost one, so he sucks. The ranking "systems" are a joke and the matchups are made out of popularity, ticket sales, and fighter's availabilities based on their last fights or injuries. If it had anything to do with deserving a shot, no one would be throwing Rampage's name in conversation.

And seriously? Ryan Bader?

Now that I think about it . . . I think I'm probably wrong. Going through 205'ers in my head; who can reliably beat Shogun? Rashad has a slim chance with his speed but it's slim with Rua's footwork, timing and aggression. Mr T is too slow - I think he'll get leg kicked to death and then liver kneed into dogshit. John motherfuckin Jones just might be the future of 205. I think his physicality (explosiveness - lol) and skill set might just beat anybody. Could be a GREAT lineup this next year or two at 205.

Somebody tell that belt to keep its knees together.

Hey Horror Fighter, I can't believe I'm defending Cabbage patch head, but there's a difference between having surgery and having time to heal before a fight, and having sinus problems during a fucking fight. Let me guess, you've been fights with a sinus inflection but still was able to kick ass and strike a victorious pose in the end.

If I were mean, I'd put you on the level of the douchasaurus rex that was recently banned.

Does anybody else see this as a situation where nobody but Shogun can beat Machida but other guys might be able to beat Shogun? That 205 belt is fucking SLUT.

Here's what I pray for at night:

Rashad/Rampage will end in a double KO with Steve Mazzagati standing over them, arms flailing in the sky like a retarded orangutan.

Then we can just move on to a series of fights that leads to either Jon Jones, Ryan Bader, or Thiago Silva becomes a #1 contender.

Rashad, via Glorious Keith Jardine scouting report of absolute victory (a la Forest, Chuck, Silva).

And, btw, Shad does wear the manties.

Alright so I have to ask, who DO you guys think is good at 2005? Harder to impress than GSP all the sudden...

Props to Shogun for still going on with the fight instead of bitching that he had surgery then have the fight put off another 6 months.

I think Machida was overrated. and glad to see some1 different holding the belt, even tho i think rua isnt that great as well.

Well this makes me feel like crap. I had surgery 4 weeks ago and I still can't make it through a warm up at the gym...shit!

You didn't ask me, but what the hell... Evans would smash Rampage.

Hey Stak, which way are you calling the Rampage - Rashad fight?

El Famous Burrito Says:

"What if Fedor just tied The Glorious Sweater of Absolute Victory around his junk like some sort of adult diaper?"


Then the beast shall arise, and Fedor will battle it to save the souls of all of humanity.

Dude, it's right there in Revelation.

Knuckle

Exactly!

There's really no need for a 3rd Rua/Machida fight....most people say Rua won the first fight, and he KO'd Machida in the 2nd...exactly what is there to prove in a 3rd fight?

Good news. I just booked up my flights to Cancun from London yesterday. So if you’re out and about on the beaches in Sept, look out for me in my ‘manties’. I won’t be hard to miss, the sun will be reflecting off my pasty skin and my yellow teeth will stand out like a Muslim in departure lounge.

If they’re good enough for Rua/Fedor/GSP/Silva/BJ, they’re sure to get me the chicks.

@ytrebil

Correct, thanks for bringing that to my attention. Although not a UFC Champ, still a legit badass in his own right...

What if Fedor just tied The Glorious Sweater of Absolute Victory around his junk like some sort of adult diaper?

I hope we never have to watch another shogun/Machida fight. Really i hope to never have to see Machida fight again. Shogun has a good chance in maintaing the belt for a while but i think Evans or Jackson could beat him even though the probably wont. Shogun is a proven fighter with an ass kicking mentality.

Hey, don’t forget The Last Emperor in that list of ‘Manty’ wearers.

Rua will need probably 3 title defenses before we see Rua/Machida 3, not counting that Machida will need to earn his way back to the top to earn that rubber match.

I see a new trend with the champions... manties.

BJ now wears skin tight 'bike-shorts' instead of his board shorts.
GSP is the king of all manties.
Anderson Silva wears his version of skin tight's
Rua wears the same size manties as GSP (to everyone's dismay)

Shane Carwin... if you want to be included in this list of champions you need to order yourself a set of 4XL manties and get with the program. MMA style will not wait for you...

I do think KO’s are a bit of an enigma or at least ‘wobbling’ punches. More often or not it’s a glancing temple or head shot which doesn’t look to connect properly that sends a fighter to the matt not quite knowing what is going on. Where as in some fights (like the Stevens vs Stout fight), there were a few really clean, hard punches (esp from Stevens who is known to have heavy hands for the division) that I would expect to knock a fighter down into a complete daze. I guess it’s all about preparation. If you see a punch coming but can’t avoid it, your body prepares for impact, but those glancing blows you don’t prepare for or expect just catch you out.

But yeah, disappointed Shogun got the win so quickly as I would like to have seen a war between them. It wasn't like Shogun was teeing off on Machida or picking him apart. It was a fortunate blow that sent Machida down.

I respect the other posters opinion on this fight and glad to see one or two understand where I'm coming from.

also, another great one-liner from the Burrito. +1.

After Rampage body slams Evans into a coma in a few days, I want to see Rua & Rampage duke it out again Pride-style for the belt. Maybe they can bring back soccer kicks for this one fight? ;)

After that, I think Ryan Bader vs. Jon Jones would make for a good title contender match up.

Also think it's possible we'll see Rua vs. Machida version 3.0 within the next 18 months.

Bob Reilly>> I don't know who was saying Shogun didn't deserve a shot; that's just ludicrous. I know some of us were a bit nervous/chagrined when he came in and dropped one to Griffin, but it looks like Shogun is exactly who we thought he was: a bad mofo. It's very hard to look at his record and watch his Pride fights and not be impressed.

how many more fights does Jon Jones have to win before we can see Rua/Jones...That's a fight I would love to see.

So it made the weight cut a little easier?

Appendectomy? Big deal. It's not like he had a sinus infection. That's the worst thing that can happen to a fighter. Right, BJ?

@ytrebil ~
I also thought that punch was a little lucky. Actually not so much the punch because Machida was wide open but the way he fell off balance put him right underneath Shogun and he was able to get mount without having to worry about being pulled into guard. If Machida had fallen backwards more and gotten more distance I think he would have been able to mount a quick defense. He didnt look rocked he did the right moves in mount but at that point in the fight Shogun could throw full force really quickly and its very hard to defend that from mount. Not taking anything away from Shogun he did exactly what he needed to do. People arent talking about how Machida was landing more strikes and takedowns before that blow landed. But that is MMA and specifically Shoguns style. Quick moves and capitalizing on any lapse in concentration.

No one able to challenge him? Before their first fight everyone was saying he didn't even deserve a title shot! You guys are too quick to jump on the bandwagon. This is the UFC, anyone can land a solid punch to knock someone out. Lets see him defend a few times before we praise him so much.

@ytrebil

I disagree with everything you said. In a hilarious and constructive manner.

yrebil>> Not feeling it here. I've been saying that Shogun has the killer instinct that Machida seemed to lack. Rua is a champ i can get behind.

***

3 articles before 11am? What the hell is going on over there, did you guys hire someone? i know MRuss sleeps at his keyboard, but damn, son. I'm impressed.

I’d like to see Ryan Bader go up against Shogun. I was impressed with Bader against Jardine and in his other fights post-TUF. He certainly has a top stand-up. Does Bader need more fights before he gets a title shot though?

I hated Machida's style. I'm glad the new champ is exciting to watch. Hopefully we won't have to wait 6 months for him to defend his title.

I'd like to be able to immediately dispute the statement about Shogun being the most dominant ever....but I cant really seem to think of any opponents in the pipeline who are likely to beat him. Lyoto had the best chance and he blew it leaving such a huge opening for that overhand right. I can definitely see Shogun defending that belt at least twice. At least until a Shogun Machida 3 or Anderson Silva. Those fights are far away if they happen and there are quite a few LHWs in line for the shot.

Hear me out for a second guys and go easy as I think I’ll get flamed for this… does anyone else think that this surgery thing just prior to the fight and the fact Machida got knocked to the matt from a mis-placed right hook in 3 minutes of the first round puts a bit of a mockery on the division and Machida’s hype? Machida’s stand-up defence didn’t look all that good and to be honest, I didn’t even see that punch coming (Shogun’s punching didn’t look all that prior), but it wasn’t overly convincing for me.

I don’t know. I enjoyed the first fight these 2 had, but I’m not massively impressed with Shogun and thus not massively impressed with Machida. It was a bit of a let down for me. I was expecting a bit more of a war and well, for the fight to finish in 3 minutes with a less convincing hook… hmmm.

Does anyone feel the same?

Lets all toast a cup of warm piss to Shogun era

"seemingly invincible former champion" Get the fuck out of here!

wow very humble

pride fc FTW