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

Dmac · 05-29-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BloodyElbow

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

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According to InsideFights.com, Dana White will be speaking with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua as potentially a challenger to the newly-crowned Light Heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida for a September matchup or simply a "really big fight":

Dana White met with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at the Zuffa offices today and is in the process of putting together what Dana calls a "really big fight".

Our gut feeling tells us that Lyoto Machida will be defending the light heavyweight belt against Rua in September. That would leave Machida without an opponent for the December show, since Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson will likely be meeting on that card. Not having Machida on the biggest show of the year is fine, but Zuffa typically likes to have the light heavyweight belt involved on big shows since it is the promotion’s showcase division.

White promises that more information is coming down the pipeline. We’ll have an update for you as soon as possible.

Of course, file this under the "Rumor Mill" for now, but the fight does make sense considering the fact that Rashad Evans and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson are now on tap to coach The Ultimate Fighter Season 10.

How it doesn't make sense is that we still have yet to find out exactly how the UFC will be formatting the top of the division. Will they give Rampage the opportunity to fight Machida in September, and then give Rampage the opportunity to take on Rashad Evans as well? Or is the UFC going to give "Shogun" the go ahead to take on Machida?

Thinking about the potential outcomes of such a rumor becoming true, a Shogun victory could result in an epic rematch between Shogun and Rampage from their PRIDE days if Rampage knocks off Evans. A Machida vs. Evans rematch could fit the bill down the road if Machida loses, but if Machida maintains his rank... there are a multitude of fights that could happen. An Evans victory could also set off the Shogun vs. Rampage rematch talk as well with Evans once again throwing himself back in the title hunt.

I'd love to hear what many of the fans believe could potentially be "a really big fight" from the fighters still left on the table that aren't Evans, Rampage, or Machida. If this is truly excluding any of those guys, what big fight could be on the horizon? My bet is Lyoto Machida will be taking on Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

UPDATE: According to MMAEruption's Fanpost, USAToday is quoting White as saying the Rampage-Machida fight in September is not happening:

With Jackson out of the picture, the new champion's next opponent likely will be named today or tomorrow, White said. A report on Machida's website that he will be fighting at UFC 103 in September is not true, White said.

This leaves the door wide open for Shogun vs. Machida. Rampage won't be fighting a title fight in September according to White's quote, and from what we can gather from this quote, Machida's next opponent will be named today or tomorrow. Also, Shogun is in town talking with White as evident from Dana's Twitter photos.

Shogun has been gaining ground to becoming the old Shogun we know and love so I would welcome a fight with Lyoto.

lvl · 05-29-2009, 08:32 AM

as much as i like Shogun, i think it's to early to take on Machida. i would rather see him first have another big win before he gets a shot at the title. maybe the winner from The Silva/Franklin fight or Forrest Griffen. Shogun his last 2 fights are fighters that have fallen out of the top 10 ranking and fighters that are past there prime. i would give him a number one contendership match first.

Dmac · 05-29-2009, 08:39 AM

Well actually seeing as he lost to Forrest, that may be a good idea.

Bigpapa42 · 05-29-2009, 11:40 AM

Love me so some Shogun, but I could see him getting right wrecked against Machida.

The Dragon · 05-29-2009, 02:46 PM

Lyoto's title defences:

Shogun
Winner of Rashad/Rampage?
Winner of Forrest/Silva?

Suffy · 05-29-2009, 03:55 PM

FOR THE LAST TIME PEOPLE LYOTO AND ANDERSON SILVA ARE NOT AND NEVER WILL FIGHT!!!

But on the Shogun note I'd rather have Shogun have one more fight.

He didn't look that good against Coleman (pretty shitty actually) and he beat Liddell but Chuck isn't the same Chuck of 05. So I'd like to see him against a contender, Luis Cane maybe. Just to make sure he's the old dominating Shogun.

Sam · 05-29-2009, 04:09 PM

Dana's gotta do whatever draws money. This isn't wrestling where you have to build a number one contender to have a shot at a championship, per se. Look what happened with Cro-Cop and Couture. Shogun and Liddell (when it was actually 'supposed' to happen) Ortiz and Belfort (again when it was 'supposed' to happen) Rampage and Evans.

Strike while the iron's hot, Dana. If Shogun and Machida is gonna draw, then make it happen don't worry yourself with 'number one contenders'.

Do what draws.

The Dragon · 05-29-2009, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suffy
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FOR THE LAST TIME PEOPLE LYOTO AND ANDERSON SILVA ARE NOT AND NEVER WILL FIGHT!!!

But on the Shogun note I'd rather have Shogun have one more fight.

He didn't look that good against Coleman (pretty shitty actually) and he beat Liddell but Chuck isn't the same Chuck of 05. So I'd like to see him against a contender, Luis Cane maybe. Just to make sure he's the old dominating Shogun.

Yeh, Ino that.

I got muddled up and thought Forrest was still fighting Thiago Silva for some reason.

King TE · 05-29-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam
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Dana's gotta do whatever draws money. This isn't wrestling where you have to build a number one contender to have a shot at a championship, per se. Look what happened with Cro-Cop and Couture. Shogun and Liddell (when it was actually 'supposed' to happen) Ortiz and Belfort (again when it was 'supposed' to happen) Rampage and Evans.

Strike while the iron's hot, Dana. If Shogun and Machida is gonna draw, then make it happen don't worry yourself with 'number one contenders'.

Do what draws.

The fact of the matter is, imo Shogun is not that big of a draw yet in the US apart from us PRIDE fans. He looked bad against Forrest, bad against Coleman, and beat an aged Liddell. He should fight one more top contender, like Cane which a lot of people have suggested and build his name up in the US a little bit more and THEN challenge for the title. I mean, I don't have a degree in business but i'm sure it would increase the buy rate for that PPV. Plus a lot of people are still questioning whether he is truly back.

Dmac · 05-29-2009, 07:36 PM

Cane could be a good fight, but should he not really try to avenge that loss against Forrest where he was really bad, because if he can do that then he deserves a shot right?

I just think that Shogun has taken time getting used to the cage, a lot more time than he should have really but hey. Aging Liddell or not he still beat a legend and he didn't just beat him he knocked him out.

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

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