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Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua is confident he can succeed where many before him have failed and find a strategy to beat the counter-punching Lyoto Machida.

Light-heavyweight champion Machida (pictured left), known as 'The Dragon', is a firm favourite to win the all-Brazilian contest at UFC 104 at the Staples Center on Saturday night.

His mystery and growing appeal with fans comes from the traditional karate skills learned from his father, and from his elusive style, unique in the UFC.

According to CompuStrike figures, Rashad Evans threw 48 arm strikes (fists and elbows) against Machida in their title fight back at UFC 98 back in May, and landed just four.

But Rua (pictured right) believes he is back in the form and shape that made him a legend when he fought in PRIDE, and is confident he can solve the Machida Rubik's cube.

"It is a rare style, but there are things he does which I have seen before," Rua said.

"Even in my last fight, Chuck Liddell was a counter puncher like Lyoto so there are aspects of what he does which aren't so different.

"Eventually, his style will be solved and I believe I will be the one to solve it.

"I am focused on the strategy we have come up with. I will keep to that plan because we have looked at his style and found a strategy we believe will defeat his style.

"I have a strategy, and he will too, but a fight is a fight and when things happen you have to react to things going a different way. Maybe the person who adapts to things quicker will win and that is where my greater experience may help me."

Rua also insists the underdog tag suits him.

"Machida is the champion and starts favourite and that is right, Rua conceded.

Maybe it's a good thing, because I haven't lost as an underdog. Maybe that's because I fight better when I am not under the pressure, and now all the pressure is off of me and on the champion.

It is what it is with the bookmakers. I don't care what the odds are, just what I am going to do in the fight.

"The UFC will see the best Shogun on Saturday. Not the best since PRIDE, but the best ever.

Professionally and personally, I am at my peak now, this is the best time of my life. I've got much more experience than I had when I was in PRIDE.

"I fight with a lot of strategy now whereas before I used not to think so much about a plan. I think to beat the top guys like Lyoto you need a plan before you go into the Octagon."

"I think a lot of people thought Liddell was going to knock me out but I proved that I am not finished and my best performances are in the future."

Alex Sharratt / Eurosport