Lyoto Machida's first title defense will be against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, previously rumored here at FiveKnuckles.com. UFC President Dana White officially announced the match-up for UFC 104 during a segment of “Inside the Octagon” at last night's TUF 9 finale.
UFC 104 will take place October 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. It will mark the promotion's first trip back to Los Angeles since UFC 60: "Hughes vs. Gracie" in 2006.
Shogun wasn't the first choice fans had in mind for Machida's first defense. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson passed on a title shot for the opportunity to fight Rashad Evans by coaching opposite him on TUF 10.
Machida captured the UFC light-heavyweight championship by knocking out Rashad Evans at UFC 98 last month. Since entering the UFC, Machida has recorded victories over Tito Ortiz, Sokoudjou.html">Sokoudjou, Kazuhiro Nakamura, Thiago Silva and the aforementioned Evans. Prior to entering to the UFC, he recorded wins over BJ Penn, Rich Franklin and Stephan Bonnar.
Mauricio Rua is currently on a two fight win streak with wins over Mark Coleman at UFC 93 and Chuck Liddell at UFC 97. Rua hadn't competed in a more than a year since losing to Forrest Griffin at UFC 76 in September 2007. Rua suffered a severe knee injury, which resulted in lengthy rehab assignments. Once considered the top ranked light-heavyweight, Rua holds an impressive resume of career victories over Kevin Randleman, Quinton Jackson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Ricardo Arona and Alistair Overeem(2x).







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