Enter the Shogun
The world’s no.1 ranked light heavyweight, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua makes his long awaited UFC debut on Saturday September 22nd against fan favourite Forrest Griffin at UFC 76 Knockout at the Honda Centre in Anaheim California.
Much has been made of the lacklustre performances of former Pride FC standouts Rodrigo Antonio Nogueira and Mirko Filipovic as mma fans worldwide wait in anticipation and anxiety for Shogun to get his UFC career in America underway. While fans speculate about the vast differences between UFC rules and Pride rules and the failure of the former Japanese organisation’s top fighters to adapt, Mauricio Rua is looking to bring it, in a big way:
“There are some tough guys in this division, a lot of people running for the belt,” said Rua. “But see how life is funny, the actual UFC Champion, Quinton Jackson, I beat him in the first round of the PRIDE Grand Prix two years ago, he lost twice to Wanderlei (Silva) and he got the UFC belt from Chuck (Liddell) in less than two minutes.
“I’m not concerned about the transition,” he said. “My training in the last two months is inside the Octagon, and a few years ago I fought twice in the Octagon. The main difference is in the rules, but my team is making the adjustments and from now my kicks can be replaced by the elbows.”
For Mauricio one of the drawbacks to fighting inside the UFC octagon is the absence of his devastating soccer kicks and foot stomps that are widely regarded as the most dangerous and destructive in the mma world today. In his Pride days they were a major part of his offensive arsenal and he has been recognised as revolutionising the way the aggressor could attack a downed opponent; often jumping straight over the guard and avoiding the inevitable desperate upkicks. But alas mma fans will see no more of this exciting weapon as Rua looks to adapt to the ‘elbows only rule’. However don’t expect this to slow the aggressive unrelenting style that has proved so formiddable so far.
Despite not looking past the ever game Forrest Griffin, Rua realises the expections placed on his young shoulders. Fight fans look forward to huge bouts with many of the elite, including a certain Ice-Man:
“For sure, I want to fight with the top fighters of the division” Rua continues, ”and Chuck is one of them. He will probably be in my way for the belt. With the loss to “Rampage” he moved a step behind, but I know that he will be fighting in the UFC 76, so let’s see our results and talk there.”
And what of a rematch with the now UFC champion, Quinton Rampage Jackson, who Rua easily disposed of in Pride:
“Two years ago he was the star in PRIDE, and I was the new guy from Brazil,” said Rua of his first round win over “Rampage”. “I knew that the fight would be difficult, he beat Ninja (Rua’s brother Murilo) before in a very controversial result, and this was my opportunity to avenge my brother. At the end, the fight was easier than everyone could imagine. Now, the reality is totally different, he’s the champion, a star in UFC, and I’m still the new guy from Brazil. (Laughs) let’s see how this ends.”
Not long now to wait, 7 days and counting!
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