UFC on Fox Sports 1-1 in Boston finally has its main event and it’s pitting a former UFC light heavyweight champion against the best promoter in the sport today.
As announced on UFC Tonight on Tuesday, former 205-pound title holder Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will headline the upcoming UFC on Fox Sports 1 card against middleweight title contender turned light heavyweight Chael Sonnen.
“I will be taking on Shogun, I will be fighting him on Fox Sports 1 on August 17 in Boston,” Sonnen revealed.
Sonnen and Shogun flirted with the idea of fighting earlier this week as part of the UFC 161 card after the Brazilian’s original opponent Antonio Rogerio Nogueira fell out due to injury. Unfortunately a deal could not be struck in time, but the two light heavyweights will still meet, it will just happen a couple of months later instead.
Prior to the fight with Rua coming up, Sonnen had been verbally sparring with former Pride champion Wanderlei Silva for a few weeks, teasing a potential fight between them later this year. The fight never materialized, so Sonnen says he’s moved onto the fight with Shogun instead.
“I went after Wanderlei because he’s the worst guy I could find, record wise, he’s the worst fight in the UFC. I know what you’re thinking what about (Mirko) CroCop? You’re right CroCop was terrible, but Wanderlei’s is actually a little bit worse,” Sonnen stated. “I couldn’t get Wanderlei.
“So I’m going look why don’t I fight the guy that actually destroyed Wanderlei for years in the practice room, and that brings us to Shogun. I like Shogun, I have nothing against Shogun, it’s just good, solid competition, but Wanderlei did this to you Shogun.”
Shogun is a former training partner of Silva’s when the two were part of the Chute Boxe camp in Brazil when both were competing in Pride Fighting Championships. They actually began training again as part of King’s MMA in California, although it’s unknown if the two Brazilians still work together currently.
Regardless of his affiliation now, Shogun will face Sonnen in the main event of the UFC on Fox Sports 1-1 card headed to Boston on August 17.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com