UFC 113 Results: Shogun Defeats Machida, Justice is Served

Many UFC fans claimed that Lyoto Machida earned the decision victory over Mauricio "Shogun" Rua last year. They tried to justify the blood on Machida's face, the booing crowd and the viewer polls that overwhelmingly stated that Rua had truly won the match.

These long seven months have held objective viewers' interest, and many simply wished for a decisive victory in order to avoid any further judging catastrophes. Tonight proved to be more than a decisive victory, though; tonight, justice was served.

Rua dominated Machida, knocking him out in the first round after mounting him. He didn't have enough time to inflict serious damage before mounting Machida, but he still tore his legs up a bit.

Machida predictably followed Rua's clinch and takedown attempts with a couple of flurries of punches, but Rua expertly stayed out of Machida's range just like the first time they fought...only this time, Rua followed it up by giving Machida an outright beating.

Not only did Rua win, more importantly he beat Machida, and now comes the interesting part. Will we hear that this, too, was a fluke performance on the part of Rua? Or will we finally hear an admission of the truth, that Rua is the better fighter?

Machida's best attempt at promoting an offense was a knee that landed to Rua's midsection and landing in Rua's half guard twice. But during UFC 113, we learned that Rua was better standing, at the clinch and on the ground.

At best, the first Machida vs. Rua fight was close for Machida. Now it is undeniable, and UFC fans that objectively judged the first match between the two fighters can now feel relief in that the judges couldn't swindle anyone out of a victory this time.

The truth is that Machida was simply keeping the light heavyweight belt warm for Rua, who deserved to wear it these last seven months. After Machida was knocked out cold, his "elusive" era died, and now we can all rest knowing who the better fighter truly is--though this time it is undeniable.