‘Shogun’ Rua won’t rule out moving down to middleweight

Mauricio Rua may follow fellow Brazilian Lyoto Machida to the middleweight division.

Following back-to-back losses inside the Octagon, “Shogun” revealed that he could cut some pounds to “restart” his career at the middleweight weight class. The former light heavyweight champion takes on James Te-Huna on Dec. 7 in Australia, and that could be his last fight at 205.

“It might happen, but for now I have a fight scheduled,” Rua said during a Q&A with the fans prior to the UFN 32 weigh-ins in Goiania, Brazil, just days after Machida’s sucessful middeweight debut. “I would have to do some medical exams to check if it’s possible.”

“Shogun” normally cuts around 23 pounds to fight at light heavyweight, so he would need to drop an extra amount of weight to fight at 185.

“My normal weight is 228, 231 pounds. “Maybe I can (drop to 185) and maintain my performance,” he said. “I would need to think about it, but that’s something that can happen.”

Before he makes that decision, Rua is focused on his battle against Te Huna at UFC Fight Night 33.

“He’s an aggressive fighter and I know it will be tough,” he said, “but I like this fight because of his style.”

Mauricio Rua may follow fellow Brazilian Lyoto Machida to the middleweight division.

Following back-to-back losses inside the Octagon, “Shogun” revealed that he could cut some pounds to “restart” his career at the middleweight weight class. The former light heavyweight champion takes on James Te-Huna on Dec. 7 in Australia, and that could be his last fight at 205.

“It might happen, but for now I have a fight scheduled,” Rua said during a Q&A with the fans prior to the UFN 32 weigh-ins in Goiania, Brazil, just days after Machida’s sucessful middeweight debut. “I would have to do some medical exams to check if it’s possible.”

“Shogun” normally cuts around 23 pounds to fight at light heavyweight, so he would need to drop an extra amount of weight to fight at 185.

“My normal weight is 228, 231 pounds. “Maybe I can (drop to 185) and maintain my performance,” he said. “I would need to think about it, but that’s something that can happen.”

Before he makes that decision, Rua is focused on his battle against Te Huna at UFC Fight Night 33.

“He’s an aggressive fighter and I know it will be tough,” he said, “but I like this fight because of his style.”