The October 2009 title bout between Champion Lyoto Machida and Challenger Mauricio “Shogun” Rua ended in what many considered one of the worst decisions in history. Despite “Shogun” clearly outpointing Machida and notably scoring with leg kicks, Machida pulled the unanimous victory. A rematch was quickly put together under the impression that a second fight would erase the doubt from fight one and determine who really deserved to be champion.
The answer was to be revealed at UFC 113.
And it turns out that it was Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Although Machida managed to score early takedown success, the striking quickly fell in Shogun’s favor. After stumbling Machida early on, Shogun truly put the pressure on later in the round, dropping Machida with a shot and then relentlessly delivering ground-and-pound blows until Shogun was out on his back.
Shogun was crowned the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua defeated Lyoto Machida at 3:35 of Round One to become the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.