Mauricio Rua says he’s wanted to fight Rashad Evans for a long time and hopes to get back in the light heavyweight mix with a good win on April 16.
After an exciting back-and-forth rematch with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 190, Mauricio Rua is ready to make it two in a row against Rashad Evans. Just like the former UFC light heavyweight champion told Portal do Vale Tudo, Rua wishes to get back in the division’s Top 5 with a win over “Suga”.
“I think that was a good choice. Sooner or later we would fight each other. We were supposed to fight in 2011, but it didn’t work, so I think now is the right time. I’m happy with this fight. He’s a good fighter, a former champion who deserves respect. That’s a fight I really wanted. My goal now is to beat Rashad. I’m not thinking ahead of that fight. Whatever comes after is a consequence. I want to win this fight and get back in the Top 5, if God allows it.”
Mauricio Rua is expected to fight Rashad Evans at UFC on Fox 19, which happens on April 16, in Tampa, Florida. The card will be headlined by a lightweight title eliminator between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.