UFC 113 Results: Prophecy Rings True, Shogun Tops Machida

Last year, in the weeks leading up to the championship bout, Rashad Evans vs Lyoto Machida, this author composed an article titled, "Four Keys to Defeating Lyoto Machida." The article was largely disputed because Lyoto Machida, always a valiant and genuinely innovative competitor, was predicted by most to handily defeat Rashad Evans. Machida went on to knock out Rashad Evans with relative ease.

Tonight's redemption of this author's prediction is both satisfying and cathartic.

This author is pleased to see that Shogun Rua defeated Machida via an overhand right punch, which was one of the predicted keys to defeating the always-elusive Machida.

This author predicted that blocking the overhand right would serve as a difficult challenge to Machida's stellar defensive ability. While defending the overhand right is a conundrum among most MMA fighters, it proved to also confound one of the best defensive fighters in the history of MMA.  

Long live Chuck Liddell, the fighter who innovated the overhand right- such an awesome technique.

Cheers to both Lyoto Machida and Shogun Rua in presenting an instant classic of a rematch. Tonight's UFC 113 main event only provided more supporting evidence as to why the light heavyweight division of the UFC is the most exciting weight class in all of MMA.

While the winner of the looming fight between Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans looks to be the next contender, look out for Jon Jones, who will be the next big thing in the UFC's premiere weight class. 

Welcome Shogun to the beginning of a long, prosperous run of championship title defenses.