Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua Eying September Return In Japan

Pride FC fan favourite Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua suffered another setback in his UFC career last time out, getting blasted by Dan Henderson in their rematch at Fight Night 38 and dropping his seventh from thirteen since joining the promotion in 2007. Many fans questioned if ‘Shogun’ should stay fighting at light-heavyweight after the loss, if at all.

Those questioned have been answered though, as Rua’s manager told UFC Tonight that the Brazilian striker would indeed return to fighting, and stay at 205 pounds. The H-bomb he received in March resulted in a broken nose for Rua, and he will aim to come back in September if the surgery is successful. Just like Alistair Overeem, ‘Shogun’ will look to go back to his roots by fighting in Japan.

UFC Fight Night 51 will go down on September 13 from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, and it seems the UFC is looking to revive the Pride FC days for the fans in the home of so many traditional martial arts. Currently headlined by Pride legend Mark Hunt and Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson, appearances by Rua and ‘The Reem’ could give a nostalgic touch to the event.

So who is available for as an opponent for Rua? Well, seeing as the event could well mark the last time out for the aging veteran, I’d expect the UFC to pair him with another striker; perhaps the long-awaited rematch with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira would fit the bill? Unfortunately for Rua, ‘Lil Nog’ is about as active as the French army.

‘Poster Boy’ Jimi Manuwa could be a viable pairing, Anthony Johnson is another fighter who could be free by that time. We’ll have to continue speculating on the opponent, but one thing is for sure: Rua would likely retire on the day if he loses his third straight. Although only 32 years old, ‘Shogun’ has been fighting for 12 years, and that is a lengthy career in the world of MMA.

It’s likely that  Rua could take a pretty comfortable office job for the UFC after retirement, and I’d rather see him retire than take any more damage. The two fights he has been in with Hendo have seen Rua take abnormal amounts of damage, and only a warrior like ‘Shogun’ would be keen to go back to work after such brutal beatings.

Who do you think Rua should face in his comeback fight, or would he be better off retiring?