In a few short months Maurício “Shogun” Rua (19-4) will defend his UFC light-heavyweight title for the first time when steps into the octagon to face former champ Rashad Evans at UFC 128.
It will be just over ten months since he won the title from Lyoto Machida in their rematch last May. Rua has been sidelined since that time because of a knee injury but is back to training for his upcoming fight.
In an interview with Tatame.com, “Shogun” offers some thoughts on his opponent and their upcoming fight.
I’m on the beginning of my preparation for this fight, I still am on the first month, of the three I usually take for preparing myself, I’m already on the mood and getting more conditioned and doing some aerobic workout.
I’m not feeling any pain in my knee and my doctor said I could fully return to my trainings, so I’m training as I always did, super confident and if God helps me, I’ll be prepared on March 19th.
Rashad’s a very tough guy, he’s a good wrestler and boxer, actually he is a guy I consider complete and I believe he’ll try to use his boxing skills on my or will try to take me down and use his ground and pound, so I’m training much Wrestling and Muay Thai, he’s tough and I have to train all modalities.
I’m very cool because all I’ve ever done in my life was fighting, it’s my job and my only obligation is to give my best, I do what I love, which is to train and fight and I never think about winning, I think I’ll give my whole best.