Let's hear it for Brazil!

The 2016 Summer Olympics, Pele, the Brazilian Women's soccer team, so why not add 2 of the very best in the world of mixed martial arts. Saturday night in Los Angeles the undefeated Lyoto Machida put his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship belt on the line against the 18-3 and former Pride Grand Prix Champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. I was going to bet on Shogun and his +375 line, however I am at odds with my previously bet taking website, so decided to not wager on the fight.

I am glad that I didn't, because I would have lost my mind, in addition to $25-$50 bucks. (I'm not going to bet the house on an underdog, no matter how good the feeling, just can't do it.) Shogun lost the fight to Machida by unanimous decision 48-47 on all the judges scorecards.

I felt that Shogun definitely won 2 rounds, Machida definitely won 1 run with 2 being toss ups, apparently those 2 went to the defending champ. It looks as though we could see an automatic rematch between these two Brazilian fighters, and that makes sense on a bunch of levels. Rampage Jackson appears to still be retired (the next best 205 pound fighter in the world), and middleweight champ Anderson Silva, who embarrassed former champ Forrest Griffin has said he would not fight his friend and training partner Machida.

Who else is deserving of a shot? Rashad Evans? Not right now he's not. Wanderlei Silva? Nope. Keith Jardine? No thanks, and on down the line. Because it was such a close decision, I love the idea of Machida vs. Shogun II.

In addition to Brazil, let's hear it for Tristan Besse who went 9-2 on his UFC 104 picks including a perfect 5-0 on the main card. Certainly better than BJal's Lock du Jour and Keefe's Pick 3.

-Keefe

*Keefe's 2009-2010 NBA Preview Coming Soon...

UFC 104 picks

Tonight from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida makes his first defense of the light heavyweight title against a surging Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. This could be one of the more exciting fights of the year, with two prolific strikers doing battle in the Octagon. Rua will no doubt be the aggressor, with his devastating Muay Tai skills contrasting the patient, elusive yet explosive striking of "The Dragon", who has knocked his last two opponents out cold. The co-main event is decent, with rising heavyweight prospect Cain Velasquez taking on savvy veteran Ben Rothwell. Velasquez was supposed to be taking on Shane Carwin in a #1 contender spot, but they needed Carwin to step in and face Brock Lesnar at UFC106. This will be a good test for the young Mexican fighter. Here are my picks for tonight's card:

Main card

Machida over Rua via (T)KO in the 3rd round
Velasquez over Rothwell via decision
"Rumble" Johnson over Yoshida via KO in the 1st round
*Note that Johnson's unprofessionalism brought him in at 176 pounds, 5 pounds over the 171 contracted weight. While he's probably reeling from cutting down from 220 pounds, he'll probably weigh almost 190 in the cage tonight.
Tibau over Neer via submission (guillotine choke) in the 2nd round
Stevenson over Fisher via decision

Preliminary bouts

Okami over Sonnen via decision
Hardonk over Barry via (T)KO in the 1st round
Bader over Schafer via decision
Rivera over Kimmons via (T)KO in the 2nd round
Kingsbury over Al-Hassan via decision
Struve over Gormley via submission (rear-naked choke) in the 1st round

Enjoy the fights.

-Bess