Lyoto Machida fights two wars during Saturday’s UFC 104 main event in Los Angeles: the war against Mauricio Rua, and the war of perception that Rua may not be the same one we remember.

Rua, once believed to be the most promising 205-pound athlete in the world, has looked human in recent outings against Mark Coleman and Forrest Griffin. He believes -- and fans believe -- knee surgeries have corrected his cardio and aggression issues. What they may not correct is his tendency to take a punch in order to give one. In Machida’s case, he’s not open to a fair trade.

In Rua’s favor: Machida’s relative inexperience dealing with jiu-jitsu during live competition. Rua is not Rickson Gracie, but he’s grades above Tito Ortiz, who sunk in a triangle choke on Machida in 2008.

Might Look Like: Machida vs. Thiago Silva, a snub-nosed striker swinging at air while Machida laughs quietly to himself and waits for an opportunity to resurrect 5,000 drafty karate schools around the country.

Third-Party Investor: Anderson Silva, who might be persuaded to fight Rua if pal Machida comes up short.

Who Wins: I would love to be contrary and spin an elaborate scenario that results in Rua winning. But I can’t. Someone will figure Machida out eventually, but Rua -- no master of the rigid game plan -- isn’t the guy to do it. Machida by TKO.