Mauricio Shogun Rua Talks Possible December Rampage Jackson Showdown(Video)

Quote of the Day: Mauricio Shogun Rua on Possible December Return

After a long layoff due to a ruptured ACL suffered in training for Chuck Liddell, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua weighs-in on a time-table for his return to the cage. He recently spoke with Tatame.

“My knee is very good, thanks to God. I was going to begin my hard train this week but I spoke to my doctor and he decides to make the exams this week. I have been doing Boxing and physical train, and I think next week I will return to the Jiu-Jitsu and gradually train more”

“I will train hard to face anyone. I had a defeat on my debut and I can’t choose my opponent. It is not settle yet, but I expect to return on December, it’s better for me”

Lets hope he comes back with a purpose, I would love to see a rematch with Forrest.

(Props Cage Today)

Mauricio Shogun Rua Reinjures Knee, Out of UFC 85 Chuck Liddell Fight

This really sucks, I was looking forward to this fight so much. Here's the news from UFC.com

Scheduled to make his return to the Octagon this June against Chuck Liddell at UFC 85 in London, light heavyweight star Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has instead been forced to withdraw from the bout due to a ruptured ACL in his left knee, the same injury he had surgery on to repair last October after his UFC 76 fight with Forrest Griffin.

Surgery on the injured knee will be scheduled shortly, and there is no word on when Rua will be cleared to return to the Octagon.

One of the game’s top 205-pound fighters, the 26-year old Rua was looking to get back in the win column after his defeat at the hands of Griffin last year, and his bout with Liddell was just the motivation he needed to train like never before.

Read the Rest Here

Shogun Confirms Fight with Chuck Liddell in June

****Update, This Rumor is absolutely true Click Here for the full story****

This is according to a brazilian website named TATAME, I was able to get a translation of what Shogun said. Keep in mind I don't know how reliable this is.
Here is what Shogun had to say to this website.

In the high-way to the Rosa Beach in Santa Catarina, where he will spend the holidays with his wife, Mauricio Shogun confirmed to TATAME his fight with Chuck Liddell in June. "I confirmed that fight yesterday, everything is set for June and I hope to fight well and represent my new team, the University of Fighting (UDL)" said Shogun, who hopes to avenge his friends loss.

"For sure I will avenge Wanderlei" assured the athlete who wants to do go to America and train there sometime with Wanderlei. "I called Wanderlei and we taled a lot, we will do the exchanging for sure, I don't know when, it all depends with my strategy of the fight"

"Liddell has good boxing and a very good Wrestling. His game is more stand-up, so it can be a mistake to try to take him down all the time, because it demands too much energy. I will still plan my best tactic with my coach Alejo Morales (note : against Forrest he had no game plan), with my brother and the rest of the team. But I can strike with Liddell and beat him there, no problem.

Original Brazilian Source Here

I'm not sure if this is anything but a rumor. Liddell has stated many times that he wants to fight Keith Jardine next. Maybe Chuck fights Jardine soon and then Shogun at the end of June, I dunno.

Top 10 MMA Dream Matches- Sequels

Yesterday I wrote the top 10 mma dream matches with no sequels, today its all about the second, third or fourth matches between fighters who already fought each other.

10. Fedor Emelianenko vs Mirko Crocop 2- The first fight between these was our Ali-Frazier as far as MMA goes. Although Crocop has lost 2 back to back fights in the UFC, many fans would love to see this rematch.

9. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs Mirko Crocop 2- The first fight is one of my favorite fights of all-time. Crocop was destroying Nog through the whole first round, landing numorous kicks and punches and stuffing every takedown attempt. Then as the second round started Nog shot in, got the takedown and secured the armbar. Would Crocop be able to finish him this time?

8. Forrest Griffin vs Mauricio Shogun Rua 2- The big question would be, would the real Shogun show up. For whatever reasons in the first fight Shogun did not look like himself, most notably gassing, when he is known for tremendous cardio. Forrest is a tough SOB and a second fight would be a war.

7. Wanderlei Silva vs Ricardo Arona 3- The ultimate grudge match, these 2 guys hate each other. Wanderlei no doubt is itching to get back in the ring with Arona after Arona yelled in his face after the last fight. Both fights were closely fought decisions and a third fight would be a rubber match for the ages.

6. Matt Hughes vs BJ Penn 3- How can fans not clamour for a third fight between these 2, the first 2 fights are classics. No doubt these 2 guys have amazing MMA skills and when they get in the cage together it will always be an entertaining bout.

5. Nick Diaz vs Takanori Gomi 2- The first fight is an amazing fight with a killer ending. Diaz tested positive for weed after the fight, which had nothing to do with his medifast coupons, so his victory is somewhat tainted, so they need to get back in there and bang it out again.

4. Fedor Emelianenko vs Ricardo Arona 2- The first fight is widely considered to be a very controversial decision which Fedor won. After the fight was over you can see the disbelief on Arona's face. Whatever you think of the first decision, a second fight would answer all the questions.

3. Randy Couture vs Josh Barnett 2- In the first fight, Couture was controlling the fight until he made a crucial mistake and Barnett finished him. These 2 guys are as tough as they come and another fight would no doubt be an entertaining affair.

2. Anderson Silva vs Ryo Chonan 2- Was the flying scissor heel hook a fluke submision? Anderson looks unstoppable right now and this would be a chance to avenge one of the more amazing losses I've evr seen in MMA. A second fight would probably see Anderson dominate.

1. Wanderlei Silva vs Quinton Rampage Jackson 3- The first 2 fights are Pride classics that I would show anyone looking to get into Mixed Martial Arts. These 2 have a long history of hating each other, remember the infamous "My Belt" incident. The main question would be, can Quinton overcome the mental aspect of being finished in devastating fashion both fights. Can Rampage avoid the knees of the Muay Thai legend? I really hope this fight happens, I would never be more excited to see a fight.