With the growth in popularity mixed martial arts has experienced over the past few years, promoters and fighters have fought to overcome regulatory hurdles and encourage athletic commissions to sanction events. Following a July decision by the athletic commission, Maryland has become the 35th state to legalize and sanction mixed martial arts competition. The state's first event, put on by new organization "Shogun Fights," was held on October 24 in Baltimore's 1st Mariner Arena. Both the event and the movement supporting regulation were lead by local trainer John Rallo who has a long history in the sport. "I have been involved in MMA since 1998. It is a great sport, with great athletes."

As with past UFC events, MMA Spot will be bringing our readers round by round coverage and post-fight press conferences for tonight's pay-per-view broadcast of UFC 104: Machida vs Shogun. The event will be taking place from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and features a light heavyweight title bout between former PrideFC champion Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua and undefeated current champ Lyoto 'The Dragon' Machida. Also on the card, heavyweights Cain Velasquez and Ben Rothwell battle to see who stays line for a potential shot at the heavyweight title.

Former IFL champion Chris "The Polish Hammer" Horodecki (13-1) is expected to sign with Zuffa owned World Extreme Cagefighting according to trainer Shawn Tompkins. Currently on a two-fight winning streak, Horodecki would be joining the organization as a lightweight. While no deal has yet been inked, Horodecki is looking to join with a major promotion after his first win following a year-long layoff due to injury.

World Extreme Cagefighting representatives made a splash when they announced their intent to institute a 125lb Flyweight division to their roster at the beginning of 2009. Less than a year later, WEC matchmaker Sean Shelby has indicated that the plans are presently on hold as the organization looks to concentrate its efforts on strengthening the weight classes they currently promote.

Former WEC Featherweight champ Urijah "The California Kid" Faber (22-3) has signed a 6 fight contract with the organization, keeping him tied to the Zuffa owned promotion for the forseeable future. Faber's future had been somewhat in limbo; following a pair of hand injuries in a June fight against current champ Mike Thomas Brown (22-4) and the expiration of his contract, speculation began that the Sacramento based fighter might pursue different organizations or weight classes. Not only will Faber remain with the organization that made him a star, but WEC General Manager Reed Harris hopes to see him fight by the end of the year.