Lyoto Machida flattens out Rashad Evans

"Karate is back!" shouts Lyoto Machida into the post-fight microphone of Joe Rogan. It's hard to argue with the man. Machida brought his family Karate background and unbeaten record into the Octogan with Sugar Rashad Evans, also claiming an unbeaten record, and holding the Light Heavyweight title of the UFC. Machida and Evans seem to take their time feeling each other out for the most of the first round with Machida finally laying claim to the score card with a late round shot that stunned Evans. In the second round Machida's patience paid off as his laser precision striking hurt Evans badly in the form of a straight left hand. A barrage of a punches later left Evans out cold for the first time in his career. The fight ended with Rogan's statement of "Welcome to the Machida Era"...only time will tell.

One of the great grudge matches in UFC history also took place as the battle of the "Matts" finally came to fruition.  Matt Hughes and Matt Serra drug a year and half's worth of bantering and bad mouthing of one another into the cage and settled their issues once and for all. Hughes looked to have regained some of his old form and condition, coming in much visibly stronger. Hughes took the decision win over Serra and the two finally seemed to have put their differences to bed as they hugged one another afterward.

UFC 98 - Evans vs. Machida