The UFC light-heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (19-4) is coming off another big win since the UFC title earlier this year at UFC 113.
Rua won the 2010 World MMA Award for “Knockout of the Year” for his first round KO over former champ Lyoto Machida at the Montreal event that earned him the title, and hopes to return to the award ceremony in 2011 as the reigning champ to receive further honors.
“Shogun” spoke to Tatame.com recently about the award and his expectations for 2011, telling them that he is focused on the coming year and looks to give it his best when he steps back into the octagon.
I went for it and so far no one has been able to find Lyoto on the octagon, he was unbeaten at that time, so no one had come close to defeat him, and I was glad I did it. The result of the first fight was a good one after all because if it wasn’t because of it, I wouldn’t have done the following bout and I wouldn’t have won this award. This was a very glad with this homage, it was very important to me, and I hope next year I can be one of the finalists for the Oscar award again, right? I’ll give my best so that I can be at this party again next year…I hope so, my goal is to keep always evolving and try to be better each time. 2010 was a very good year, but I’m already focused in 2011, when I’ll still try to keep winning. My goal is to keep the belt on this year that is coming. My fans can be sure I’ll give my best and I won’t lack motivation.
Rua has been sidelined most of 2010 due to knee surgery but looks to return to the octagon in 2011 at UFC 128 against Rashad Evans. The event had been tentatively set for Abu Dhabi on March 19th, but recent word from the UFC president, Dana White, casts doubt as to the location of the event.