Shogun’s struggles defeating Brandon Vera signal the end of the former champion’s title hopes.
Mauricio Rua would have had his hand raised when all was said and done, even without the fourth-round TKO. However, this was supposed to be a walk in the park for the light heavyweight title hopeful.
Does this say less for Rua or more for Brandon Vera for his unexpected performance?
After seeing the impressive dominance Lyoto Machida exhibited in his second-round knockout via straight right hand to the jaw of Ryan Bader, you would think Rua would have been more aggressive.
Machida stepped up under the spotlight of the nationally televised UFC on Fox 4 and earned his way to a title shot at UFC 151 in September.
Shogun just kind of showed up.
The former champ may have won each round, using quick takedowns and surviving the Vera storm, but he didn’t do it decisively. He didn’t make a statement that Dana White was looking for. One that said, “I want my title back.”
Speaking of White, he said the following to Bleacher Report and MMA media following Saturday night’s event:
“Leading up to this fight Shogun did turn down a fight. Shogun has not been terrorizing me for another shot at Jon Jones. And Lyoto Machida has. Lyoto Machida wants it,” White said. “He’s been all over me. He’s been aggressive about this thing. He went out and fought tonight and he fought a top 10 guy.”
This is White’s way of saying that Rua struggled fighting a guy everyone thought he should have beaten. UFC on FOX 4 wasn’t set up to be an exhibition of technical skill and longevity by the co-main eventers, it was supposed to be exciting and over quick.
Machida heard the message, loud and clear. Rua shied away from the opportunity and it will be sometime, if ever, that he finds himself in a position to step back into the octagon with the light heavyweight championship on the line.
Let’s see if Rua delivered on his pre-fight promises.
“I will put on a great show for my fans to pay them back for all the support they have given me over the years,” explained Shogun. “It has been a great motivation for me and I will give my best against Brandon Vera on Saturday.”
If that’s your best, Shogun, you’re definitely in trouble.
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