Review for UFC 113: Machida vs. Shogun 2

Introduction

And so the much anticipated rematch between the UFC's two premier Brazilians arrived at UFC 114 in Montreal.

The elusive Lyoto Machida, who had the audacity to walk out of UFC 104 with the Light Heavyweight title still around his waist, despite being firmly down on all but the judges scorecards, met the hard-done by hero Shogun Rua.

Rua had been a firm favourite during his days in the Japanese organisation PRIDE due to his all out attacking style. Machida, on the other hand, had garnered a reputation for being boring in his early days with the UFC and had now been made the pantomime villain by default, due to being the recipient of the God-awful decision at UFC 104.

Also the card saw the return of internet phenomenon Kimbo Slice who took on fellow TUF 10 contestant Matt Mitrione in what promised to be a slugfest.

The most hated man in the UFC returned as Josh Koscheck took on British striker Paul Daley, in a bout which would eventually make the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

In fact, slugfests seemed to be the name of the game in Montreal as the card was propped up by fights between Patrick Cote and Alan Belcher and Jeremy Stephens and Sam Stout.

Video

Video is presented in 4:3 PAL and is exceptional, as always with the UFC's DVDs.

Audio

Dolby Digital 2.0 provides the sound and the Montreal crowd create a brilliant atmosphere for all the fights, especially the electric main event.

Extras

Here we get the Behind-the-Scenes show, which is generally the best extra on these UFC DVDs. The cameras delve into the preparations that the UFC and it's fighters go through in the build up to the event.

Fighter interviews pads out the event well, and provides another chance for the UFC to tag up an exclusive extra.

Finally we get the weigh-in show, which is a standard extra and provides ample hype for the event.

Conclusion

This card lived right up to it's billing and so did the main event. Both of these fighters needed to win and win big, and the victor certainly left in no doubt who is the true champion at 205lbs.

It was the perfect conclusion the a much-hyped main event and the crowd in Montreal certainly did their bit in making the atmosphere electric and the fight a memorable one.

The card boasted quite a few good fights, highlights including Belcher-Cote, Stephens-Stout and Lawlor-Doerksen.

The rest of the card may well be remembered for the final UFC appearances of two men for very different reasons. Firstly Kimbo was uncerimoniously beaten out of his UFC contract by fellow MMA novice Matt Mitrione.

Whilst Mitrione looked massively improved from his time on the show Kimbo looked laboured and lost. His time in the UFC may have brought in viewers and if they caught the Rua-Machida bout then they may be hooked and therefore Kimbo has served his purpose.

The other exit was made courtesy of Paul Daley's left hand. Unfortunately it wasn't Josh Koscheck being cut from the UFC, it was instead Daley who was banned for life by UFC President Dana White after sucker punching Koscheck after the bout.  

It was an unfortunate incident but an apt punishment for Daley who could have harmed MMA's future growth by throwing a punch at his opponent after being given 15 minutes to do just that.

White acted swiftly to cut Daley and not allow his actions to overshadow what was a good card and good value for your £17.99.