Chuck Liddell vs. Shogun Rua to Main Event UFC 97
by Michael Rome on Jan 17, 2009 7:34 PM EST
in MMA News
Email
Print
Alongside an Anderson Silva title defense, the co-main event of UFC 97 in Montreal is Chuck Liddell vs. Shogun Rua. The news comes from Dave Meltzer.
If the same Shogun shows up that we saw tonight, it is going to be a short night for him. It's funny to think about what would have happened if Chuck fought Shogun last June. He would have probably won and gone on to a title shot against Griffin and possibly another run on top.
90 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Shogun looked like shit tonight. This is a shitty headliner.
by Derek Suboticki on Jan 17, 2009 8:25 PM EST up reply actions
Hey, let’s feed the Lame to Liddell! That’s a great idea, right?
Bueller, Bueller, Hello?
crickets
This is truly an insult to Liddell. At least feed him an opponent that’ still breathing.
Jay K.
ps. What’s up with the Jardine vs. Jackson fight? Didn’t see that one coming. Also, not interested in seeing that one after Jardine flailed and yet somehow won against Vera who was equally terrible. That fight has no buzz or zip to it at all.
This was obviously a forgone conclusion
Unfortunately it will look like a reward for an awful performance. Dana should have cut Shogun’s contract, not given him one of Chuck’s last fights.
Also … Jackson vs. Jardine?
"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy
It could have been worse. It could have been Coleman vs. Liddell. Can you think of a worst possible match-up for Mark Coleman?
Brock Lesner?
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jan 17, 2009 7:49 PM EST up reply actions
I’m sure after seeing Coleman tag Rua in the face the ‘new and improved ATT savy’ Chuck Liddell could do the same and more so.
Fairly surprising how much Shogun got hit. Coleman’s standup was real bad.
by Michael Rome on Jan 17, 2009 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
Shogun is still relatively fresh from 2 MAJOR reconstructive surgeries
He will look better in his next fight with another camp and more confidence that his knee won’t re-blow out during trainup. Whats funny is he looked big at the weigh in and not in the fat way. I wonder what his cut was to 205.
Gimme 1 Round!
I honestly think Stevenson/Sanchez is a better main event than this. Chuck may be slowing down, but he doesn’t look nearly as craptacular as Shogun. Once Shogun tires, he’ll be open to a massive overhand punch. Shogun was a favorite fighter for such a long time, too…
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jan 17, 2009 7:49 PM EST reply actions
Who says Shogun can't +1 cardio?
Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.
I’m hoping and praying he does. He should realize that’s his big problem and fix it. If he’s too dumb to realize the obvious (Tired=Bad), then he deserves to be punched in the face.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jan 17, 2009 7:55 PM EST up reply actions
Even if his cardio is amazing he’ll still get knocked out because his hands are awful.
by Rundownloser on Jan 17, 2009 7:56 PM EST up reply actions
I saw UFC 93
by “nefarious” means and Im glad I did. I would have gone to BW3’s and spent a crap load on beer. Anyway good show overall. Bad news about Rampage VS Jardine. RIP Jardine.
I guess if Rua has to stick around, this is the best option. I can’t say I’m terribly excited to see it, but Dana wants Liddell in another title fight no matter what. Frankly, I don’t know why they don’t just book the damn fight instead and get it over with.
Isn’t it more likely he wants to prolong Liddell’s career? It’s not that hes desparate for him to get a title shot, it’s that he wants him to be relevant for money purposes, and because they’re friends.
by Michael Rome on Jan 17, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions
Is it true what I hear that there were 2 fight of the night bonuses and one of them went to Coleman/Rua?
Sad But True
MMA Weekly confirms it.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jan 17, 2009 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
Nick Thomas posted it in another thread, but here you go
From MMAWeekly.com:
The first award for Fight of the Night went to “The Irish Hand Grenade” Marcus Davis and Chris “Lights Out” Lytle for a back and forth battle that saw the two welterweights go to war just as promised.
The 2nd Fight of the Night bonus were handed to former Pride middleweight Grand Prix winner, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and UFC Hall of Famer, Mark “The Hammer” Coleman, for their bout that ended in the third round after a back and forth affair throughout.
Belcher got Sub and Siver got Knockout.
by Rundownloser on Jan 17, 2009 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
Coleman v. Rua was awesome.
But, like, in the same way that Snakes on a Plane was awesome.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
That’s it: the only way that Rua/Coleman could have been anymore fun was if Samuel L. Jackson was either the ref or one of the commentators.
by Rundownloser on Jan 17, 2009 8:08 PM EST up reply actions
Santa meets the martians awesome
Brad Ziegler had a scoreless inning streak. Brad Ziegler had not met BJ Upton.
Awesome Like a
Jenna Jameson Blockbuster Science Fiction movie with Tito as Executive Producer.
The post-fight interview with Shogun: “English, motherfucka! Do you speak it!”
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jan 17, 2009 8:12 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
^Meant as reply to rundowloser above^
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Jan 17, 2009 8:12 PM EST up reply actions
Shogun’s cardio will be much improved for the Liddell fight.
Shogun won’t gas out against Chuck. The fact that he’s had to have two straight fights against problematic guys doesn’t make it easy. He’s fought two of the biggest Light Heavyweights in the world when you think about it. And I mean physically big and physically strong. Forrest pushes a mean pace that breaks almost everyone and it broke Shogun. Shogun was overpowered and overwhelmed in the clinch with Forrest, as well. Against Coleman, he had to worry about the takedowns from a much bigger and much stronger man. That wears you out and it took its toll on Shogun.
Against Chuck, it’s all stand-up and that’s where Shogun thrives. The only way Chuck can beat Shogun is to switch it up and wrestle him to wear him out so he can knock him out later.
"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill
…
If Shogun “lives” standing, he’s sure no good where he lives. Shogun has never been a primarily standing fighter, he’s used his ground game to succeed for most of his career.
His standup was actively bad from the first exchange of the fight. Wide open, not a lot of power. He got tagged over and over by Mark Coleman who has no standup at all.
Shogun is a dream fight for Chuck. He stands right in front of his opponents and always moves forward. He needs to seriously improve his game to have a chance.
by Michael Rome on Jan 17, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions
exactly my thinking...
Shogun fights the same type of style as the guys Liddell was feeding off of for his time as champ. Come forward, don’t use much movement, get hit a lot, easy to counterpunch…
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jan 18, 2009 1:13 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t get all the hate Shogun is receiving already. He had knee-surgery, over a year layoff and he was facing a superior wrestler. I thought he looked pretty good considering all that, he landed some really nice blows and when all was said and done he finished the damn fight against a tough SOB. Shogun has always fought wide open offensively with pretty much a disregard for defense. I don’t see what all the fuss is about, of course he was going to tire a little after the long layoff. I think he has a real good chance at beating Chuck.
http://themmapost.com
If that was your idea...
of Shogun looking good….then yeah. I’m sure you are confused by the reaction
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jan 18, 2009 1:13 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
hahahahahaha.
http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 18, 2009 7:03 AM EST up reply actions
For those that keep pointing out that Shogun had a long layoff:
Coleman’s last fight was 15 months ago.
It wasn’t 15 months ago. It was 27 months ago.
by D.Capitated on Jan 17, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions
He never officially retired. He’s been wrestling for HUSTLE on occasion and probably doing 12 oz. curls on the couch most of the last 2 years while he waited for someone to get him a payday.
by D.Capitated on Jan 17, 2009 11:32 PM EST up reply actions
Were they still doing the Cole-Man and Randle-Man bit? I guess even in the Japanese pro wrestling scene Hustle is about as goofy as you can get.
Along a similar vien, someone put this on Wikipedia please tell me it’s a joke:
Randleman has had several professional wrestling matches, his first in January 2004 for HUSTLE. In Japan, he is known as the “Fudge Brownie”.
My old article explaining what HUSTLE...um...is
Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
by Brent Brookhouse on Jan 18, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
Shit Shogun
chuck vs shogun?? whatt! shogun will be knocked the fuck out by chuck!
i see this , dana did this on purpose he wants somebody to KO shogun so he can fired him!
shogun is not the same pride time shogun anymore. he dont deserve it"!
those who think Shogun will improve his cardio...
I hope you’re right. In 2005 Shogun was my favourite fighter bar none.
But the lack of roids and shitty training have definitely effected him. He pretty much gassed at the same time as Coleman (end of round 1).
If he has cardio he could well do ok against chuck but his striking is mediocre and he won’t be able to get Chuck to the ground. Before last night I would have believed in Shogun – but now….
I think that Shogun made it to the 2nd round before he gassed, but it’s practically splitting hairs at this point.
by Rundownloser on Jan 18, 2009 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
Path of least resistance for the Iceman. I bet he wishes he could dodge punches as well as he dodges real opponents. From knocking people out to getting knocked out so it goes for a once great fighter who now is feebly trying to get back into title contention. I bet if he wins this, he will get an automatic title shot. Book it.
by Harry Triangle on Jan 18, 2009 12:43 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Dana has already publicly said that Chuck is at least two wins away from a title shot.
Also, when has Chuck ducked opponents? Let us take a look at his last bouts:
Evans
Silva
Jardine
Rampage
All of them are top ten fighters.
Shogun/Chuck was signed prior to this bout. The only way it was not going to be announced was if Shogun sustained an injury,
Could've been worse for Shogun...
His name could be Dennis Kang.
If you're not submitting, you're just rolling around with another guy.
At last...
Someone stated the obvious… holy crap, what happened w/ Denis Kang? I had to pull some of my old Pride DVD’s out of storage once I got done watching that fight…. its sad, all the mainstays of Pride for the exception of Rampage are crashing and burning right now in the UFC.
That wasn’t the Denis Kang that I remembered, he was one of my favorites.
by Gunslinger20 on Jan 18, 2009 2:13 AM EST up reply actions
Breen nailed it on the Beatdown after the Bell. Kang has great offensive capabilities; however, he is really lacking in his defense. Both striking and grappling, he is susceptible to getting caught, as it were.
by Rundownloser on Jan 18, 2009 2:17 AM EST up reply actions
Who else could come in? Luis Cane is the only one I can think of and honestly, Cane/Shogun would be an even bigger beatdown.
by Rundownloser on Jan 18, 2009 2:18 AM EST up reply actions
it just makes no sense. Shogun vs Lil Nog was an all out hyperactive war for 30 minutes. I don’t care about steroids, they don’t give you that kind of cardio do they? Shogun had snap in his punches, always timed great high kicks in the middle of his combinations, and never got taken down in bad positions, even when he was taken down. This match in 15 minutes didn’t come close to the pace that he kept against Nog for 30 minutes.
He doesn’t even look close to the same except for his BJJ, which is good but nothing exceptional. It feels so weird.
Steroids actually CAN help your cardio significantly,
with agents like Nandrolone there is a significant increase in circulating RBC’s, which increase overall oxygen carrying capacity for your blood.
There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.
Whatever steroids the cyclists were taking obviously improve your cardio. However, being around more American sports the goal is to bigger and bulkier by most people’s standards and those kind of steroids are harmful to the cardio system, or so I have been told.
You’ve been repeating that over and over. If EPO is the wonder drug that it is, don’t you that it would have helped Shogun cheat the test? Give it a rest already! And EPO is on the banned substance list of WADA which is the guideline that the doping agencies follow.
Your logic of “if EPO is not tested in the US, therefore Shogun did not juice is hilarious.” There are many things that they don’t test for, but the things they do test for are the ones that have been proven to be most effective. Hence, the reason why Shogun, a highly paid professional athlete gassed so quickly even though he once had a legendary cardio. And I don’t want to hear the excuse of time off, injury, etc. This is a guy who admitted he’s at 100% and during the prefight admitted to training at the best he’s even trained. Obviously something was amiss.
EPO helped Lance Armstrong win countless cycling titles so yes, I think it is a wonder drug. The guy was fighting cancer and then all of a sudden makes a ridiculous run at the toughest cycling titles in the world? Sure.
You seem to be in huge denial when it comes to performance enhancers.
I’m not. But if you think EPO is the drug that helped Shogun performed in Pride versus in the UFC, then you’re in denial. If they don’t test for it, then he could conceivably be on EPO right now. Apparently, EPO isn’t the wonder drug that it is after last night’s performance. Shouldn’t Shogun be the same Shogun in Pride since the US doesn’t test for EPO?
which tells me
He was either jacked on amphetamines at fight time
Or just in good shape over there and injured over here. I think the coming off two catastrophic knee injuries is more likely because he’s been tested and he came back postive for 2 knee reconstructions in 16 months
Gimme 1 Round!
by skwirrl on Jan 19, 2009 12:32 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Ha. I like that.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Jan 19, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
IMO, This is a good business decision..
the ufc paid shogun 150k in his fight with forrest. so im assuming that his win bonus is around that value too.. So if the dana and the ufc can resurrect chuck’s career and eliminate that overpriced contract of shogun in the process, then that would be a very good for them.
http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/
I don’t think they’re ready to unload Shogun just yet. The guy is 27. Chuck is almost 40. you do the math on the better longterm value to the company. If Shogun can deliver a highlight reel KO and get back on track, they would be fine with that.
I would love to see a 100% ready Shogun up against Rampage for the belt in the next 2 years.
they can renegotiate his contract.. especially after a few loses.
just like vera’s.. he’s not getting paid as much now right?
http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 18, 2009 10:34 PM EST up reply actions
No soccer kicks/head stomps
= Shogun exposed.
Shogun vs. Liddell actually makes sense. I wanna see more discussion of the nonsense that is Rampage vs. Jardine..
Kuwabara Kuwabara
I see people making this point over and over. I don’t see how lack of soccer kicks or head stomps puts him at a disadvantage now. The point of those finishing moves was that Shogun had all of those victims in a very bad spot up to that point to begin with. Something he hasn’t been able to translate into the UFC so far. Or in other words, he hasn’t shown the ability to even put himself in a position to be able to use those moves to finish someone in the UFC. His problem so far has been getting to that point to even be able to use those moves in the first place.
A position to use stomps and kicks is simply when one fighter is standing and the other is on the ground. How many times have we seen a fight NOT end in those circunstances? But yes the fact that he can’t even get that position now spells even more trouble for him.
Kuwabara Kuwabara
by J. B. Maddox on Jan 18, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions
Let’s be honest here, 2 years ago this fight is a barn burner. Possibly a 3 round war. In a few months? Who knows. These are both 2 guys that have faded mystique’s and much to prove.
For the record, Mark Coleman doesn’t have shit to prove. He’s a legend of the sport.
by Derek Suboticki on Jan 18, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
And if you meant Chuck, then you’re saying the most dominant LHW champ ever has something to prove. Which is like saying Matt Hughes has something to prove. No, he doesn’t. He’s just past his prime – and in Coleman’s case, like, a lot past it. They have nothing to prove.
by Derek Suboticki on Jan 18, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
Rampage-Jardine is more offensive than Liddell-Rua
It just doesn’t make any sense.
Rampage deserves either to fight for the title against Evans, or be given the chance to avenge his recent close loss to Griffin.
Jardine, on the other hand, is useful as a “gatekeeper to the Top 5”. He should be fighting lower ranked fighters to determine whether they belong in upper echelons, like Cane. He shouldn’t be fighting a real contender like Jackson.
Liddell – Rua is not the worst match-up. They are both in the similar position of having lost their feared status with recent dismal performances. Neither is close to a title shot, unless he performs a stunning feat.
I think the winner of Liddell-Rua needs at least one more victory over a top opponent, possibly a rematch against someone he has lost to, before he gets a shot. This is where Jardine could play a role. The other logical opponent for the winner of Liddell-Rua would be Griffin. If Rua strings together victories over Coleman, Liddell and Jardine/avenges his loss to Griffin, he’d certainly have earned a shot. Similarly, if Liddell scores wins of Rua and Griffin/avenges his loss to Jardine, he’d be next in line.
Totally Disagree
If Jardine beats Rampage, there is no earthly way for me to say he doesn’t deserve a title shot. Jardine’s record is as impressive as anyone’s at the LHW division. One ugly loss to Houston Alexander and people think he sucks. Keith Jardine can fucking fight.
by Derek Suboticki on Jan 18, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
Jardine Vs Evans
That’s something Rashad won’t like much. Or the market, I think. A little risky to put Rampage in danger like that – cause, as you said, Keith can fight. Even if the title fight is more credible should he win.
by ununkvadrium on Jan 18, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions
Jardine doesn’t suck, I have him ranked at #7. I just don’t think he’s a contender right now. In his last 4 fights he has 2 close wins and 2 devastating losses. As such, he serves better as a gatekeeper to the Top 5, for now. If he blocks one or two up-and-comers (such as Cane) from penetrating the top of the pile, especially if he does so decisively, he’d have earned his shot at a higher-ranked fighter, possibly a title shot.
when liddell gets by shogun, he should be matched up against forrest. then title shot.
but i wouldnt be too surprised if after shogun he gets his title shot..
http://weoweoweo.deviantart.com/
by Anton Tabuena on Jan 18, 2009 10:38 PM EST up reply actions
Forrest/Chuck would be a fun fight. It was in the pipeline if Liddell had beaten Evans, but we know how that turned out.
by Rundownloser on Jan 19, 2009 1:38 AM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
