Tony
19-10-2009, 10:17
http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/shogunruainterview.jpg
In 2007, toward the dissolution of the Japanese-based Pride FC organization, Mauricio Rua was considered (arguably) the top 205-pound fighter in the world.
This was even during the time that Chuck Liddell was executing his reign of terror on the UFC light heavyweight division to the tune of four title defenses, while simultaneously piggybacking the sport of mixed martial arts and dragging it closer to the mainstream.
Since that time Rua has experienced a mixtureof ups and downs to say the least.
He suffered through a disappointing loss in his much anticipated UFC debut to Forrest Griffin back at UFC 76 in September 2007, two separate knee surgeries, and countless months of rehabilitation.
Once healthy enough to compete again he took a fight in January 2009 at UFC 93. A rehabbed, but out of shape Rua defeated Mark Coleman in what was the epitome of a lackluster performance.
At UFC 97 in April 2009, a better conditioned Rua showed flashes of his old self when he knocked out another UFC Hall-of-Famer, the aforementioned Chuck Liddell, to earn number one contender-ship status.
The reward for attaining this position is a title match with the current champion Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida, whom no man has been able to figure out, much less defeat throughout his 15 career professional fights (seven of which are in the UFC).
UFC 104 on Oct. 24 marks yet another milestone in the evolution of the much publicized UFC light heavyweight division — a battle between a former world number one (Rua) and the current world number (Machida).
Will Rua be able crack Machida’s code and shock the world in the process? We will find out in a matter of days.
In the meantime, “Shogun” took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss his recent training, the unique challenge of Machida, Brazilian MMA, and what being a UFC champion would mean to him.
Check it out:
Continue reading ‘Best of the best: Shogun Rua UFC 104 interview exclusive with MMAmania.com’ (http://mmamania.com/2009/10/18/best-of-the-best-shogun-rua-ufc-104-interview-exclusive-with-mmamania-com/#more-17302)
In 2007, toward the dissolution of the Japanese-based Pride FC organization, Mauricio Rua was considered (arguably) the top 205-pound fighter in the world.
This was even during the time that Chuck Liddell was executing his reign of terror on the UFC light heavyweight division to the tune of four title defenses, while simultaneously piggybacking the sport of mixed martial arts and dragging it closer to the mainstream.
Since that time Rua has experienced a mixtureof ups and downs to say the least.
He suffered through a disappointing loss in his much anticipated UFC debut to Forrest Griffin back at UFC 76 in September 2007, two separate knee surgeries, and countless months of rehabilitation.
Once healthy enough to compete again he took a fight in January 2009 at UFC 93. A rehabbed, but out of shape Rua defeated Mark Coleman in what was the epitome of a lackluster performance.
At UFC 97 in April 2009, a better conditioned Rua showed flashes of his old self when he knocked out another UFC Hall-of-Famer, the aforementioned Chuck Liddell, to earn number one contender-ship status.
The reward for attaining this position is a title match with the current champion Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida, whom no man has been able to figure out, much less defeat throughout his 15 career professional fights (seven of which are in the UFC).
UFC 104 on Oct. 24 marks yet another milestone in the evolution of the much publicized UFC light heavyweight division — a battle between a former world number one (Rua) and the current world number (Machida).
Will Rua be able crack Machida’s code and shock the world in the process? We will find out in a matter of days.
In the meantime, “Shogun” took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss his recent training, the unique challenge of Machida, Brazilian MMA, and what being a UFC champion would mean to him.
Check it out:
Continue reading ‘Best of the best: Shogun Rua UFC 104 interview exclusive with MMAmania.com’ (http://mmamania.com/2009/10/18/best-of-the-best-shogun-rua-ufc-104-interview-exclusive-with-mmamania-com/#more-17302)