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‘Shogun’ Headed To UFC Hall Of Fame

Photo by Leandro Bernardes/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in the “Pioneer” wing as part of the 2024 induct…

MMA: MAY 04 UFC 301 — Photo by Leandro Bernardes/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in the “Pioneer” wing as part of the 2024 induction ceremony, held during the promotion’s 12th Annual International Fight Week on Thurs., June 27, at T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The festivities will be streamed LIVE on UFC Fight Pass.

“Shogun Rua is one of the greatest Brazilian athletes in combat sports history,” said UFC President & CEO Dana White. “Shogun had an incredible run in PRIDE and UFC, and he was fearless inside the Octagon. His fights against Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida, and Dan Henderson represent some of the most memorable moments in UFC history and helped put Brazilian MMA on the map. It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer during International Fight Week.”

Here’s a quick look at some of his stats:

UFC:

Most fights in UFC light heavyweight history – 24
Tied for most knockdowns in UFC light heavyweight history – 14
Second-most knockouts in UFC light heavyweight history – 8
Third-most knockouts in Zuffa history (UFC / PRIDE / WEC / SF) – 17
Fifth-most finishes in Zuffa history (UFC / PRIDE / WEC / SF) – 18

PRIDE:

Tied for most knockouts by soccer kicks/stomps in PRIDE history – 4

Rua, 42, finished with a 27-14-1 record with 21 knockouts and one submission. “Shogun” also scored eight post-fight performance bonuses, including four “Fight of the Night” honors. The Brazilian defeated Lyoto Machida at UFC 113 to win the 205-pound title back in April 2010, but surrender the strap to Jon Jones at UFC 128 in early 2011.

Steve Erceg opens up on close title fight defeat against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301: ‘I blew it’

Steve Erceg believes he blew his chance to become the UFC flyweight champion on Saturday at UFC 301. Erceg…

Steve Erceg believes he blew his chance to become the UFC flyweight champion on Saturday at UFC 301.

Erceg was fighting Alexandre Pantoja in the main event of the pay-per-view card in just his fourth UFC fight. It was an incredible rise for Erceg to even fight for the belt, but he came up just short against Pantoja, and he believes he blew his chance.

“I really thought if I could get him down I would eat up the time on the ground and make him even more tired,” Steve Erceg told FULL SEND MMA in the aftermath of UFC 301 (via MMAJunkie). “So I probably would’ve done the exact same thing. Next time I just need to be better at is. I thought it could’ve been 2-2 or 3-1 for him. I knew it was close in the third. I knew I was on the fourth. I fought to win the last round to put myself in the position that I give myself a chance. I blew it.”

Erceg shot a late takedown in the fifth round, and Pantoja ended up scrambling to get on top, and rode out the round, which could have been the difference. With Erceg leaving Brazil without the belt, he says he’s devastated by his decision but vows to be back.

“I’m obviously devastated,” Erceg said. “Despite the short notice, or three fights in the UFC, I came to win. I thought I could do it. I thought I was finishing over the top, but he out-scrambled me. He did better, and I’ll be back.”

Alexandre Pantoja Praises Steve Erceg

After UFC 301, Alexandre Pantoja heaped praise on Steve Erceg for how tough he was.

Pantoja edged out a unanimous decision win to defeat Steve Erceg and defend his flyweight title for the second time. After the win, the Brazilian had nothing but kind words to say to Erceg, but he believes he clearly won the fight.

“I think I clearly won the first three rounds of the fight,” Pantoja said through a translator at his UFC 301 post-fight media scrum (via MMAFighting). “The fourth round could of been his. The fifth round was mine, so I definitely think it was 4-1. The guy was very tough. It was what we said. This is a guy from Australia, very tough, that people didn’t really know, and he came in there to die. He was prepared to die and I think that’s what it’s all about when you fight for the championship.”

With the win at UFC 301, Pantoja improved to 28-5 as a pro. As for what’s next for him, he isn’t sure but Pantoja knows he likely will face him again in the future.

“I really want to see him against a top-five guy in this division,” Pantoja said of Steve Erceg. “I want to see how he works out. I think he’s going to gain a lot of space in this division, but right now I’m not thinking about that. I don’t want to think about the gym or fighting, I want to think about the beach. … Maybe tomorrow that changes, but for now that’s it.”

Jon Jones weighs up Alex Pereira, Tom Aspinall fights with UFC return in the works: ‘Decisions, decisions’

Confirming over the course of the weekend how he has struck a verbal agreement with the UFC to make…

Confirming over the course of the weekend how he has struck a verbal agreement with the UFC to make a return to the Octagon later this annum amid his year-plus layoff, heavyweight champion, Jon Jones appears open to all possibilities after his return – in the form of fights with Alex Pereira or Tom Aspinall.

Jones, a former two-time undisputed light heavyweight champion under the banner of the promotion, and a current heavyweight gold holder, has been sidelined since March of last year.

Jon Jones hits out at loser YouTuber who questioned UFC star's sexuality in bizarre video — Mandatory Credit: Patrick T. Fallon – AFP

Snapping a lengthy hiatus on that occasion, Rochester native, Jones made his heavyweight divisional debut in a vacant title affair against former interim champion, Ciryl Gane, submitting the Frenchman with a first round guillotine choke submission win.

And forced from a November return against former two-time champion, Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden, Jones had suffered a pectoral tendon tear in the weeks ahead of the long-anticipated clash.

Jon Jones claims his relationship with UFC is great I'm the highest paid athlete — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

Weighing up a return over the course of the weekend on his official social media, Jones had confirmed he had struck a verbal agreement with promotional brass to make a UFC return, and is still targeting a fight with the above-mentioned, Miocic in his comeback.

Jon Jones claims he has many “decisions” to make on his UFC future

Furthermore, Jones suggested a potential heavyweight title defense against former two-weight champion, Pereira – but admits he has a lot of decisions, as fans clamor for him to take on interim champion, Aspinall after his fight with Miocic.

Alex Pereira rejects UFC 308 clash with Magomed Ankalaev in Abu Dhabi I want to fight sooner — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

“Stipe (Miocic) and then decisions, decisions,” Jon Jones posted on his official X account. “I’m coole with this spot.”

Yep, Stipe and then decisions decisions. I’m cool with this spot https://t.co/tMMHH7xGkx

— BONY (@JonnyBones) May 5, 2024

As for Pereira, the former two-division gold holder has welcomed the chance to fight Jones in the future – suggesting a staggering weight gain in order to make good on a long-anticipated move to the division.

Who would you like to see Jon Jones fight after his return with Stipe Miocic?

Up Next! UFC St. Louis On ESPN!

UFC

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) invades the “Show-Me State” this weekend with UFC St. Louis, an ESPN fight card topped by the heavyweight showdown pitting record-setting knockout artist Derrick Lewis opposite on…

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) invades the “Show-Me State” this weekend with UFC St. Louis, an ESPN fight card topped by the heavyweight showdown pitting record-setting knockout artist Derrick Lewis opposite once-beaten Brazilian bruiser Rodrigo Nascimento.

Event: UFC St. Louis: “Lewis vs. Nascimento”
Date: Sat., May 11, 2024
Location: Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri
Start times: ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” at 4 p.m. ET | ESPN/ESPN+ Main Card at 7 p.m. ET

UFC St. Louis Main Event On ESPN/ESPN+:

265 lbs.: Derrick Lewis vs. Rodrigo Nascimento

UFC St. Louis Main Card on ESPN/ESPN+:

170 lbs.: Joaquin Buckley vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
205 lbs.: Alonzo Menifield vs. Carlos Ulberg
155 lbs.: Diego Ferreira vs. Mateusz R?becki
145 lbs.: Alex Caceres vs. Sean Woodson
265 lbs.: Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Robelis Despaigne

UFC St. Louis ‘Prelims’ Card on ESPN/ESPN+:

155 lbs.: Chase Hooper vs. Viacheslav Borshchev
155 lbs.: Terrance McKinney vs. Esteban Ribovics
115 lbs.: Tabatha Ricci vs. Tecia Pennington
170 lbs.: Billy Goff vs. Trey Waters
170 lbs.: Jared Gooden vs. Kevin Jousset
125 lbs.: JJ Aldrich vs. Veronica Hardy

*Fight card, bout order and number of fights remain subject to change.*

For more upcoming UFC events click here.

Cory Sandhagen set to fight rival Umar Nurmagomedov in UFC Abu Dhabi title eliminator in August

Former interim bantamweight title challenger, Cory Sandhagen is slated to make his return to the Octagon later this summer,…

Former interim bantamweight title challenger, Cory Sandhagen is slated to make his return to the Octagon later this summer, booking a headlining clash with Russian contender, Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi at the Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates on August 4.

Sandhagen, the current number two ranked bantamweight contender, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC Nashville last August, landing a decision win over Rob Font in a short-notice clash – with Nurmagomedov forced from a clash due to an injury setback.

Cory Sandhagen reveals funny reason Umar Nurmagomedov fight I'm a beast b*tch — Mandatory Credit: Josh Hedges – Zuffa LLC

Himself returning from injury following a failed main event against Sandhagen in a March return, Nurmagomedov, the current number nine ranked contender, improved to 17-0 with a decision win over debutante, Bekzat Almakhan.

Cory Sandhagen rebooks title eliminator with Umar Nurmagomedov

News of Sandhagen’s reworked clash with Nurmagomedov was confirmed by the promotion on their official X account this Monday morning.

“They’ll meet for a 5 round battle at #UFCAbuDhabi,” UFC posted. “@CorySandhagen vs. @UNmgdv”

17-4 as a professional, Sandhagen had turned in consecutive decision victories over the above-mentioned, Font, and most recent title challenger, Marlon Vera last year – which came off the back of a knockout win over surging contender, Song Yadong the annum prior.

Competing for interim bantamweight spoils on short-notice at UFC 267, Sandhagen suffered a decision defeat to former undisputed champion, Petr Yan in his most recent visit to Abu Dhabi.

During his tenure with the Dana White-led organization, the previously mentioned, Nurmagomedov has racked up notable victories over the likes of Brian Kelleher, and a stunning knockout triumph over Raoni Barcelos.

UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi takes place on August 4. from the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with Cory Sandhagen versus Umar Nurmagomedov slated as the official headlining bout.

Who wins at UFC Abu Dhabi this summer: Cory Sandhagen or Umar Nurmagomedov?