Shogun talks of 'huge fight'; potentially vs Lyoto?

Dmac · 05-29-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMAMania

UFC 104: Mauricio Shogun Rua signs to fight Lyoto Machida in October

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The 2005 Pride FC Middleweight Grand Prix winner, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, earlier this week did indeed sign a bout agreement to challenge UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida, which will more than likely take place at UFC 104 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 24.

SuperLutas.com.br was able to confirm the rumored match up with sources close to the Brazilian’s camp.

Rua is coming off a first round technical knockout of former 205-pound champion, Chuck Liddell, at UFC 97: “Redemption” last month. He defeated Mark Coleman via third round technical knockout in a lackluster performance earlier this year at UFC 93: “Franklin vs. Henderson” to earn a crack at the “Iceman.”

It’s perhaps not the match up that most fans expected, especially when UFC President Dana White revealed over the weekend that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson would be the first to challenge Machida for his newly-won world title. But that all went out the window a few days later when Jackson apparently pressed UFC officials to settle a score with Rashad Evans via The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 first rather than compete to get his belt back.

That left Machida — who flattened Evans at UFC 98 to win the belt — all of a sudden without a number one contender … until now.

Keep in mind that White did not announce the bout yesterday during a media conference call because he indicated that not all bout agreements were finalized. That more than likely means Machida — who is currently celebrating his big win on a beach near Belem — may still have to agree to the fight and formalize it with a signature.

We’ll keep you posted.

So much for another fight first then...

King TE · 05-29-2009, 08:24 PM

Yeah, would have liked to see one more fight but being a strong Rua fan I still can't wait for this fight and hopefully Rua can find a strategy that can compete with Machida. Rua's never been knocked out but he'll need to work on his cardio tons for this fight.

and I'm sure him adjusting to the octagon was part of it, but I think it was more his knee surgeries.

Affliction · 05-29-2009, 11:08 PM

This fight should be awesome, It should have a little bit of everything grappling, striking all in all I'm excited if this fight happens Shogun and Lyoto are both great fighters. And they both can bring alot to the table.

Suffy · 05-30-2009, 01:33 AM

He doesn't deserve this, a two fight win streak and he looked terrible in one of those fights.

I want Shogun to do well, I want to see 05 Shogun but he needs another fight before he can compete with Lyoto, he isn't back to his former level yet.

Dmac · 05-30-2009, 07:32 AM

This hasn't hit me until now... but this does mean that Rampage's shot will be pushed back into 2010 like the TUF article said, that sucks.

King TE · 05-30-2009, 02:38 PM

Yeah, he's waiting WAY to long to get his rematch. 3 fights before his rematch when he lost the title controversially.. wow.

Bigpapa42 · 05-30-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suffy
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He doesn't deserve this, a two fight win streak and he looked terrible in one of those fights.

I want Shogun to do well, I want to see 05 Shogun but he needs another fight before he can compete with Lyoto, he isn't back to his former level yet.

I would have to agree. But I guess you can say that Shogun "deserves" it based on his pre-UFC pedigree. Weak justification. But at least you can do that. When guys like Patrick Cote and Thales Leites get title shots, all you can really say is they are the best of those who haven't been beaten yet (and I like Cote a lot).

Suffy · 05-30-2009, 04:28 PM

Difference is the middleweight division isn't nearly as stacked as the LHW division.

The LHW division is the best division in mma (close second is lightweight). I wish Shogun the best but I would like to see him dominate a mid-top level guy before getting a title shot.

Bigpapa42 · 05-30-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suffy
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Difference is the middleweight division isn't nearly as stacked as the LHW division.

The LHW division is the best division in mma (close second is lightweight). I wish Shogun the best but I would like to see him dominate a mid-top level guy before getting a title shot.

Absolutely agree on the depth issue. But is also part of the problem. With the quality depth in the division, there aren't really any guys who are massively dominating.

The most obvious choice for a title shot would be Rampage - former champion would lost in a controversial fashion and has a solid win since. But it seems as the UFC wants to do the thing with Rashad, which also takes Evans out of the mix for a return fight for awhile. So who else does that leave?

Forrest Griffin - former champion, but he's coming off a loss and an injury layoff, plus he's lined up to face Anderson Silva

Rich Franklin - interesting choice but besides the catch-weight fight with Wanderlei Silva, he has yet to prove much at light heavweight. He would be getting the shot based on past accomplishments, much the same as Shogun.

Dan Henderson - interesting choice, but he's not even a LHW at this point, so...

Wanderlei Silva - seems destined for middleweight, tough I'm sure he would take the fight.

Brandon Vera - not in position to be a contender, so it would be worse than throwing Cote in against Anderson Silva.

Chuck Liddell - losing streak, retired, but why not?

Thiago Silva - already lost to Machida decisively and has not fought since.

Keith Jardine - hasn't really been a title contender since his win over Liddell

Stephen Bonner - lost his last fight.

Luiz Cane - no quality wins in the UFC.

Matt Hammill - promising fighter, but no wins of note.

Houston Alexander - losing streak.

So unless the UFC changes their mind on Rampage-Rashad as TUF coaches, there aren't that many fantastic options to put in there against Machida. Even with the depth in the division.

Even outside of the divisoin, the options are limited. Anderson Silva won't be fighting Machida - they're friends. Maybe Randy Couture moving down, but coming off the loss to Brock, that doesn't really make him the best choice either...

Suffy · 05-30-2009, 05:06 PM

I just would rather Rampage right now, that's it really. Give Rampage the title shot (fuck this TUF) and by the time the next defense comes around a contedor will have emerged.

Shogun talks of 'huge fight'; potentially vs Lyoto?

This is a discussion on Shogun talks of 'huge fight'; potentially vs Lyoto? within the MMA - Mixed Martial Arts forums, part of the Sports Forums category; Originally Posted by MMAMania UFC 104: Mauricio Shogun Rua signs to fight Lyoto Machida in October To view links or ...