ROBBERY?

It may not have been the fireworks we expected. It may have been more strategy than action. But it was definitely the contrast in styles that many experts knew it would be. Unfortunately, those supposed experts also gave away the UFC light heavyweight title. Lyoto Machida versus Mauricio Rua. Karate versus Muay Thai. The first round was like a chess match as the two took eachother's measure. They were careful and evasive, and when the round was over Shogun looked like the winner. He landed more strikes than Machida while avoiding any significant damage. In fact, every round seemed to go the same way. Devastating kicks snapped and popped as Shogun signed his name on the Dragon's legs and body. By the third round, Machida's "elusiveness" seemed more like retreat. Shogun had found the answer to one of the best counter punchers in MMA. His patient aggression neutralized the unorthodox style that the Dragon had used to mystify and decimate past opponents. Mauricio Rua's fight strategy was extremely effective. But it wasn't enough. The judges gave the decision to Machida. To a chorus of boos and, with faces of disbelief, both fighters made short statements and spoke about a rematch. Yet, there is an underlying theme to this fight that Muai Thai purists can rejoice in. In a battle of technique, their's has proven to be the more dominant striking style and shown why every mixed martial artist trains in it. But technique does not beat fight politics. Most people believe that the wrong hand was raised tonight. Too bad for Shogun, none of us are judges.