It also surprises me if the fighter smokes and drinks even days before the fight. Fighters are athletes and I guess he's preparing to lose or his game plan is to knock out or submit his opponent on the first round. I don't think he'll have the gas to endure the full 3 five minutes round.
I have a great respect for Machida and I'll bet my money on him on any other fights. He's probably the bruce lee's version of a karate man and is the most elusive fighter on the UFC. A very intelligent fighter, stand up fighter, usually refuse to go to the ground regardless of his brazilian jujitsu training, extremely tactical and has superb timing where he usually controls the fight. A master strategist on the octagon. He simply elude, bluff a lot, wearing out, frustate and confuse his opponents throughout the bout patiently waiting for an opening and then will be very quick to burst and explode into accurate attacks, usually results in a knock out like he did to Rashad Evans. I know it when I see a master martial artist.
But I think I wanna bet on Shogun Rua to win this match (he also defeated Chuck Liddell & Mark Coleman, ex UFC Champions). Rua's defense is tight, he is very focused and persistent, aggresive, and from the last fight I've seen, he seemed to have solved Machida's defenses, scored more points, and seemed to control the fight regardless the controversial judges unanimous decision victory for Machida at the end.
Machida may be the more intelligent fighter IMHO and may also learn from the previous match with Rua to be prepared for the rematch, but we'll see. I think Machida needs to be more aggresive to stay undefeated. I don't think the match will end in submission on the ground as Machida's very tight, elusive sense of distance usually keeps him save and to quickly escape to return to a stand up fight.
Honestly, it's difficult to predict who will win the fight. It should be an epic
rematch. I hope! (IMG:
style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I'm expecting a TKO, or win by a split decision.
Kimbo Slice, the famous ex streetfighter/brawler will also be expected to fight in his first official heavyweight match against a new fighter on this UFC 113.