Quote of the Day 2: Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

by Chris Nelson on Apr 21, 2009 8:37 PM EDT in MMA News

"Since the start I was very motivated [to fight Chuck Liddell] and it was important. I’ve trained hard, very focused, more prepared physically and mentally, so I got there ready to show my work and everything I’ve trained," says Shogun, pleased to introduce himself to the American fans. "Actually, I haven’t fought well in the UFC, so I knew I needed to show my potential to the American fans, and it all depended on me. It wasn’t easy, but I could show them… I’ll train even more to keep this focus."

Going to a two weeks trip with his wife to relax, the Brazilian put his UFC future in his manager’s hands, but gives some tips to the matchmaker Joe Silva. "Nobody spoke yet (about my next fight), but my goal is to win the next one. I’m already focused for the next fight. I’ll fight anyone, but a rematch (with Forrest Griffin) would be welcome. He’s a good fighter and it’d be a good fight. I’ll fight anyone, but it’d be cool to fight him again, I’d love it."

-- Mauricio "Shogun" Rua speaking to Tatame

I must say I've been impressed by the humble, affable, no-excuses "Shogun" we've seen following this huge comeback win. He clearly understands that he got off on the wrong foot with UFC viewers and it sounds like he's doing everything in his power to change the fans' perception of him. It's too soon to say if a rematch with Forrest would go much different from their first dance - though Rua certainly looked to have his legs back on Saturday - but trying to avenge one of the two losses he's got left on his record seems the logical next step for a man whose stock within the company just skyrocketed.

UPDATE: In writing this, it slipped my mind that Forrest is going to miss most of 2009 with his hand injury. My next choice for "Shogun" would be someone like Keith Jardine, with an eye on avenging the Griffin loss down the line.

UPDATE #2: Michael David Smith from MMA Fanhouse reminds me that the reason I didn't remember that Forrest is out for most of the year is because he isn't. So, with Griffin is already paired up for the summer, I'll stick with Rua-Jardine for now.

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I want to see Rampage v Shogun

These 2 guys are at the peaks of their career. Should be a great fight. However, I see Quinton waiting out his title shot.

by Dexerion on Apr 21, 2009 8:44 PM EDT reply actions

Voila!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-4Oaaa_Iwg

by Chris Nelson on Apr 21, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Rampage, yes. Shogun, no.

Though it’s possible he hasn’t peaked yet, I wouldn’t pick Shogun today to beat Shogun from Pride.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Apr 21, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd pick Rampage in the rematch...

over the Shogun of right now. If Shogun were to get back fully to form I would have quite a bit more hesitation in that pick.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 22, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Ditto.

by Chris Nelson on Apr 22, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I bet on Chuck because Shogun was so gassy last time out, but I was more thrilled to see that Shogun looked like he’s on his way back to prominence. Shogun/Forrest II would be amazing.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Apr 21, 2009 8:45 PM EDT reply actions

Good to see Shogun wants to avenge his loss to Forrest – he seems to be taking getting back to the top of the heap seriously.

by Derek Suboticki on Apr 21, 2009 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

Rua - Jardine on tap?

Rua has shown a propensity to gas. This fight didn’t prove his conditioning is top notch. While KO’s are nice, he needs more rounds. No more Tank Abbott gas outs, this is the big leagues! Hopefully he’s figured this out as Mir did. I think Rua – Jardine or Rua – Forrest before Rampage? Rua – Jardine makes sense because Jardine beat Chuck and Forrest, two opponents Rua has faced but lost to Forrest.

by Fooshnickens on Apr 21, 2009 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

That would be the matchup I would make if I were Joe Silva. No need to rush Rua into the title picture right away with the next 2 title fights already set.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Tim Burke on Apr 21, 2009 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I can get with this.

by Chris Nelson on Apr 21, 2009 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Considering he probably won’t get the soft balls I would suggest, I would dig this the most of his upper echelon options.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Apr 21, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Here is who I would give Shogun Next.

1.) Anderson Silva
2.) Rich Franklin (if he wins at UFC 99)
3.) Keith Jardine
4.) Brandon Vera/Matt Hamill winner

by "Mr. NC-17" on Apr 21, 2009 8:52 PM EDT reply actions

Lots of options

Maybe Rashad if he loses to Lyoto. I’d love to see that fight.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Apr 21, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I like either winner of vera/hamill or keith jardine. those seem like the best options right now.

by Orcus on Apr 21, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I dont care who i just dont

But i want more shogun and i want it now, i never watched pride back in the day and i had seen the highlight reals and all that but now that i see him fight and what it looks like when he wins. I am officialy al in for shogun, i love his style. i was up till 2 am last night watching his old fights.

by bearcox13 on Apr 22, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Updated...

I forgot Forrest is going to miss most of the rest of the year. I’ve heard Jardine bandied about as a name in a few different places and that’s a fight I could get behind at this point on Shogun’s comeback trail.

by Chris Nelson on Apr 21, 2009 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

Jardine is seriously on his way to having the most impressive resume of any US fighter ever.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Apr 21, 2009 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Jardine is my MVG of all time, Most Valuable Gate-keeper that is. I’d like to see him v. Machida though. I just think it’d be interesting to see their 2 unique styles clash….I’m probably in the minority on that one though. Machida, like all artists, probably won’t be fully respected and admired until he is long removed from the sport. Not so much because his style is too complex, but more so because he said he drinks pee.

by CliChe Guevara on Apr 21, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Hahaha

I’m rec’ing this for the last line, which seemed very serious until the word pee.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Apr 21, 2009 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Also

I would Rec you again for your handle. That’ll have to wait for your next post.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Apr 21, 2009 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

You should update again

The Forrest injury rumor was apparently a major exaggeration and corrected by Griffin himself a month or two ago. He’s fighting Thiago Silva at UFC 101 in August.

by Scott Haber on Apr 21, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Already done :)

by Chris Nelson on Apr 21, 2009 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Forrest is fighting in Philly against Thiago Silva. If he wins that one without any injuries he could probably make it back in December.

by The Legend on Apr 21, 2009 9:01 PM EDT reply actions

Forrest is already fighting again in August, which is around when Shogun would fight again. No reason to do that rematch yet.

The best options would be Jardine, Cane, the rashad/machida loser, Franklin if he beats Wand, or a returning Ortiz.

by Michael Rome on Apr 21, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

This is the only scenario in which I will support Tito coming back.

by Derek Suboticki on Apr 21, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

But Ortiz wants to go to Strikeforce.

by The Bronzeville Bully on Apr 21, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah…I don’t buy this. It’s more posturing in my view, how is he really going to go fight in an org with no elbows on the ground?

by Michael Rome on Apr 21, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe they’ll finally get rid of that rule?

by FRANKIE on Apr 21, 2009 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t buy Tito going to StrikeForce either. He is just trying to keep his name out there with that.

by The Legend on Apr 21, 2009 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree Tito is just angling for another reality show gig.

I dislike Matt Hughes.

by MonkeyCHops on Apr 22, 2009 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I was thinking about a Franklin matchup the other day, but I like Jardine the best out of that list right now.

by The Legend on Apr 21, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Franklin would be awesome, so would Cane. I’d be happy with either of those as the second or third best fight on a card.

"Japan is half-Machida" - iiowyn

by Day Man on Apr 21, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I really don’t understand the love people have for Cane. Maybe if he moved his head just the tiniest bit I could get on board.

by FRANKIE on Apr 21, 2009 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions

There are many great light heavy weights in the ufc but many are tied up with upcoming fights. Here is who I would like to see Shogun Fight next in order:

Shogun vs. Anderson Silva
Shogun vs. Rampage Jackson
Shogun vs. Brandon Vera
Shogun vs. Jardine

by Matt13 on Apr 21, 2009 9:45 PM EDT reply actions