UFC 104: The Night The Dragon Was Slain Round By Round

As fans left the Staples Center, those who were still sober were left scratching their heads wondering if they were watching the same main event that the cageside judges were scoring.

For they had just witnessed something that the MMA world had previously deemed impossible.

Machida had lost a round

Round 1 – Rua lands a left hand to start the fight… Machida clinches and lands some knees. Rua lands a leg kick which was the theme of the first round.. Both men exchange kicks and strike for strike. Machida lands a knee and Rua answers with a knee. Both men tentative and tactful with their strikes… They each counter each other’s leg kick and knee. Its controversial who won this round, but one thing can be certain. Machida definitely isn't looking as sharp as he normally does..

Round 2 – Miss kicks and counter kicks open up the round… Each man looks for an opening.. Rua responds to every kick and knee from Machida by landing his own knee and kick.. Half way through the round and Machida’s ribs are red. Shogun is very patient trying not to get caught by any big shots. A lot of circling and kicking from each fighter. Rua pins Machida against the cage for the last minute of the round and lands some knees to the legs of Machida. Its safe to say Rua won this round..

Round 3 – Machida constantly switching stances from left to right… Machida lands a big punch..Rua is landing some vicious leg kicks… Machida lands some powerful body kicks but gets countered every time.. More circling and simultaneous kicks from both men.. The end of the round has a flurry of punches and kicks from Machida.. Rua catches Machida with a right and stops the flurry and the round.  Rua wins round three..

Round 4 – More circling to start the round.. Rua missing on some kicks. Kicks from both men and Machida throws some punches… Machida’s legs look red and bruised.. He isn't as quick on his feet as he was earlier.. Rua lands a body kick… Machida lands a solid kick to the head… Machida slips and Rua charges in and tries to take him down… Machida fighting off the takedown.. Both men separate and back to the center.. Machida lands some punches as Rua counters with kicks.. Rua clinches and lands a knee. Rua lands a few more kicks but the round comes to an end with little action… Another boring round.. Shogun should have this one..

Round 5 – The final round starts with a kick from each man… Big leg kick from Rua.. Straight left from Machida.. More kicks and counter kicks from each fighter… Some big knees from Machida.. Both men lock up near the cage and the ref breaks after little movement.. A few more exchanges but little damage done... The bell rings and the fight is over.  This was Shogun's most dominate round yet.