The UFC’s debut on FOX Sports 1 is supposed to be the best television card the organization has ever put together. Depending on your perspective, they’re either close or very far.
UFC middleweight turned light heavyweight Chael Sonnen announced on UFC Tonight Tuesday evening he’d be facing Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua at UFC on FOX Sports 1 1. In addition, the bout would headline the card from the TD Garden in Boston, Mass., on August 17th.
Rua was set to face Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC 161 on June 15th in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, but Nogueira withdrew from the card due to injury. The UFC attempted to find a late replacement, including Sonnen, but was logistically unable to make it happen.
“We were going to fight in Winnipeg (at UFC 161). We ended up moving the fight, they pulled ‘Shogun’ off the card completely. They’re going to match us up in a couple months,” Sonnen said on FUEL TV’s UFC Tonight.
“Look, I went after Wanderlei, and I was quite candid. I went after Wanderlei because he was the worst guy I could find. Record-wise, in fairness, he’s the worst fighter in the UFC. And I know what you’re thinking, you’re thinking, ‘What about ‘Cro Cop?’ You’re right, ‘Cro Cop’ was terrible. But Wanderlei’s record is actually a little bit worse. I couldn’t get Wanderlei, so I’m going, ‘Look, why don’t I just do this — why don’t I just fight the guy that destroyed Wanderlei for years in the practice room,’ and that brings us to ‘Shogun.’
“I like ‘Shogun.’ I have nothing against ‘Shogun.’,” Sonnen continued. “This is just good, solid competition. But Wanderlei did this to you, ‘Shogun.’”
Sonnen most recently competed at UFC 159 in April, losing to UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones by first-round TKO. He is 27-13-1 in professional MMA.
Rua last competed in December, losing to Alexander Gustafsson by unanimous decision. He is 21-7 in mixed martial arts contests.