Background check: Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua
Posted on March 3, 2010, 03:44 PM by Rory KernaghanMuricio Milani Rua was born November 25th 1981 in Curitiba Brazil. He is 6ft 1in tall and weighs in at 205lbs with a 76 inch reach. He has a black belt in BJJ and is well trained in Muay Thai. Rua's record stands at 18-4(15ko,1sub). His MMA debut was a KO victory over Rafael Capoeira at Vale tudo in 2002. Rua has also won the BJJ south-American championship and the STORM Muay Thai championship in 2003.
Since Rua's debut in 2002 he has gone on to beat many fighters in a very exciting career. During his time in Pride Rua scored knockout victories over such fighters as Akihiro Gono, Quinton Jackson, Alistair Overeem twice and Ricardo Arona. In a fight with Cyril Diabate, Rua scored a knockout by head stomps. Rua's UFC debut was in 2007 where he faced off against Forrest Griffin at UFC 76. Griffin scored a submission victory over Rua in the upset of the year. Rua's next bout was against Mark Coleman, and he was out for revenge. Coleman was dominated through the first two rounds and in the third Rua scored a TKO victory. After knocking out Chuck Liddell at UFC 97 Rua was granted a shot at the title. He faced Lyoto Machida at UFC 104 and lost a close decision after an action packed fight. Rua feels, as do many fans, that he won the fight and at UFC 113 he will get the chance again, as he fights Lyoto again in a much awaited match up. Rua is currently ranked as the number 2 LHW fighter on the planet.
Rua has proven a deadly striker and exciting fighter over the years. From Vale tudo, to Pride and to the UFC Rua has fought and beat many of the best. Machida vs Shogun 2 couldn't come quick enough for me.
Info source:Wikipedia.org
Comments
He should probably be ranked no. 1.
he deserves the 205 title, at least until silva gets to the top
honestly guys lets face it lyoto did more damage. shogun kept doing leg kicks but lyoto actually rocked him once or twice. shogun had more hits but lyoto did more damage overall. its going to be an amazing rematch and theres no dout that both fighters are going to put it all on the line each to prove they deserved the first win.
lol, shogun wasn't the one with broken ribs after the fight and a permanent slit on his lip and Shogun rocked Machida once when Machida charged in and hit shogun wit a few shots, shogun caught Machida with a right hook and machida rite away went for a clinch. Shogun is going to be champ after ufc 113, he should have been champ since like 2005
I think Rua won the first fight, though they always say you have to beat a champ convincingly to take away his belt.
However, I think that Machida will come with a much different game plan for the 2nd fight, whereas Rua will stick to pretty much the same style. It did work pretty well for him last time.
These guys are so evenly matched, I think the one who is the most adaptable will win.
Rua did nothing to earn a shot in the first place. don't get me wrong I am a Rua fan also, but come on. He lost to Forret, beat Coleman(who is done anyway), and beat Chuck. Who has been fighting like shit. He didn't earn a title shot. He doesn't deserve a rematch..
Listen rua was signed to fight for the title the same way vitor was he only lost his shot because he lost to forest belfort got a shot after one win lesnar got a shot after one win a. silva got his title shot after beating chris leben so dont say he didnt deserve a shot because dana signed him to fight for the 205 belt whether he deserved it or not shogun is a headliner and thats why he is getting his rematch not to mention he won the first fight convincingly in my eyes
He absolutely deserves a title shot after their last match. He's the only guy that's troubled Machida in UFC & looks like the only guy that can beat him at the moment too.
Machida is an amazing fighter & is possibly the most unorthodox in UFC. He's incredibly adaptable & has fantastic composure & patience.
Both fighters want the rematch & most of the fans want a rematch so what does Dana HAVE to do? Organize the rematch!
This rematch is going to be more exciting than the 1st & I believe it won't go the distance again. Neither fighter wants it to go to the judges again & both will step up their game.
If that's no exciting to you then you need your eyes & head tested!
Rua's a savage!