The first feeling I had when I learned that Mauricio Rua was scheduled to fight Thiago Silva was pure excitement, because of both of their vicious striking abilities and their willingness to use them (via Yahoo Sports). But on second thought, it occurr…
The first feeling I had when I learned that Mauricio Rua was scheduled to fight Thiago Silva was pure excitement, because of both of their vicious striking abilities and their willingness to use them (via Yahoo Sports).
But on second thought, it occurred to me that Silva is not on the same level as Rua at this point in time.
Although Rua is 2-3 in his last five fights, he’s been competing with some of the best fighters in the league. Lyoto Machida, Jon Jones, Forrest Griffin and Dan Henderson aren’t opponents that can be overlooked.
In fact, they are all former UFC champions.
Silva, on the other hand, has only fought twice in the last two years, the most recent being a loss to Gustafsson and the other a no contest for submitting nonhuman urine (via MMA Junkie) for his UFC 125 post-fight drug test. Both of these fights were against mid-level talent and followed his loss to Rashad Evans in 2010. Before that, he was knocked out by Machida, the man that Rua arguably beat twice.
Yes, Gustafsson is now a credible opponent, but he has just recently broken into the top ten for the first time in his career.
It’s possible that this fight was scheduled because of a lack in top ten athletes currently available. Rua and Quinton Jackson were expected to rematch this year but Jackson’s need for knee surgery takes him out of competition possibly for the rest of the year (via MMA Junkie).
Although I don’t believe this fight to be right for Shogun, it may be the only reasonable possibility. It’s also a very lucky and advantageous opportunity for Silva if he happens to defeat his fellow Brazilian.
Since losing to Dan Henderson last year at UFC 139, fans have yet to see Mauricio “Shogun” Rua return and compete inside the Octagon.With possible opponents lined up for the Brazilian, ranging from Lyoto Machida and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Rua is sc…
Since losing to Dan Henderson last year at UFC 139, fans have yet to see Mauricio “Shogun” Rua return and compete inside the Octagon.
With possible opponents lined up for the Brazilian, ranging from Lyoto Machida and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Rua is scheduled to face Thiago Silva at UFC 149 on July 21 in Calgary.
Now, with an opponent and a date set, Rua is ready to make another run at the UFC light heavyweight title.
“I guess it’s going to be an interesting fight because Thiago likes striking and so do I. It’s gonna be ass kicking,” Rua told TATAME.com. “I respect Thiago as an athlete and as a person. I know he’s very good and complete, but I’ll get there prepared.”
It wasn’t too long ago that Rua was atop the 205-pound division, only to be dethroned by current champion Jon Jones. Since then, Rua has been 1-1.
A possible win over Silva could launch Rua back into the upper echelon of the division, and with a few more wins, he could challenge for the title once again.
Although he has struggled to be consistent throughout his UFC career, Rua said he only has control over his performance during the bout. If he hopes to regain a title opportunity, he believes the outcome of his bouts will determine his future.
“Fighting for the title is just a consequence of good results on my next bouts,” he said. “I have to get those wins first so I can get a chance at the title.”
Color me puzzled. In case you have not heard, the perpetually whiny Quinton “Rampage” Jackson had to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua due to knee troubles. He is being replaced by, you guessed it, Thia…
Color me puzzled.
In case you have not heard, the perpetually whiny Quinton “Rampage” Jackson had to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua due to knee troubles. He is being replaced by, you guessed it, Thiago Silva.
Fresh off a suspension for trying to cover up steroid use and a highly publicized loss, Silva will be fighting a top-five fighter in the division. This ends up being a huge break for Silva, who still has serious knockout power but has not won a fight since 2009, when he beat Keith Jardine at UFC 102.
Since what turned out to be a top contender fight with Lyoto Machida at UFC 94 all the way back in January 2009, Silva is 1-3 (1). That said, a victory over Rua would rocket him into the top 10 of the division and could very well put him in the title picture.
Even though his new opponent remains one of the most technically skilled fighters in the division, Thiago Silva still has more than a puncher’s chance of winning.
While Silva has to be excited about this, this must be a huge letdown for Rua, who is coming off a knockout victory over Forrest Griffin and the 2011 fight of the year that he shared with Dan Henderson. Rua has remained near the top of the division since beating Chuck Liddell at UFC 97 and has been a top ten light heavyweight for years now.
The oft-injured light heavyweight bested Lyoto Machida (twice, many would argue) to become the champion. Unfortunately, another tweak had him sidelined for nearly a year before he returned to a lopsided beat down from Jon Jones.
Despite that, Rua was actually possibly looking at a title rematch with Jones (assuming he beats the aforementioned Dan Henderson) later this year. Jones, meanwhile, has spent his time since UFC 129 defeating almost literally every light heavyweight of note since Chuck Liddell was champion.
While finishing Quinton Jackson (and the lack of another opponent) would have made a title shot for Rua almost a certainty, beating Silva does not help him towards this goal nearly as much.
Why Rua accepted this fight with so much risk attached remains a mystery. As does why the UFC would avoid replacing Quinton Jackson with a prospect like Phil Davis or Alexander Gustaffson (who beat Silva just a few weeks ago), a name-brand veteran like Antonio Rogerio Nogueira or even a Strikeforce import like Rafael Cavalcante or Gegard Mousasi
UFC 149 is not entirely fleshed out yet, so what spot this fight will take on the card is still up in the air. Regardless, look for this fight in July. At the very least, it will probably end in a knockout.
(Rua slugs Dan Henderson during their epic bout in November. / Photo courtesy of Heavy)
A matchup between Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Thiago Silva is likely for July 21st’s UFC 149 event in Calgary, according to a new report on MMA Junkie. UFC president Dana White tweeted yesterday that the two light-heavyweight strikers would face one another, but didn’t confirm the date or venue.
(Rua slugs Dan Henderson during their epic bout in November. / Photo courtesy of Heavy)
A matchup between Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Thiago Silva is likely for July 21st’s UFC 149 event in Calgary, according to a new report on MMA Junkie. UFC president Dana White tweeted yesterday that the two light-heavyweight strikers would face one another, but didn’t confirm the date or venue.
UFC president Dana White has just announced a huge fight in the light heavyweight division: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Thiago Silva.While the fight is not yet official, White let the news slip when a fan tweeted him and asked who Shogun’s next oppo…
UFC president Dana White has just announced a huge fight in the light heavyweight division: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Thiago Silva.
While the fight is not yet official, White let the news slip when a fan tweeted him and asked who Shogun’s next opponent will be.
White responded simply, “Thiago Silva”.
Fans will no doubt be excited for this bout. Both men are muay thai experts that are known for aggression and brutal power. The fight promises to be a barn-burner.
Both competitors are coming off losses and will be looking to win this bout decisively in order to take a step back towards title contention.
Shogun lost his most recent fight against Dan Henderson at UFC 139, in what was an epic battle and a match considered by some to be the most entertaining fight in UFC history. Silva’s most recent defeat came at the hands of up-and-comer Alexander Gustafsson at UFC on Fuel TV 2.
Silva, in particular, is in desperate need of a victory. He had himself in hot water with the UFC after falsifying a urine sample last year, and he has not won a fight since 2009.
The UFC has not yet announced the date this fight will take place on, nor have they announced whether it will serve as a main event.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report as more on this story develops.
Andrew Barr is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and stand-up comedian. Check him out on Twitter @AndrewBarr8.
(God damn…Randy Couture is looking ROUGH these days.)
It’s kind of a shame that we’ve barely managed to touch upon the aftermath of what was a fantastic UFC on FUEL event this past weekend, but simply put, UFC 145 has so much more on the line in terms of hype, hatred, and championship gold that the Swedish card can’t help but be placed on the back burner. The light heavyweight championship bout pitting Jon Jones against Rashad Evans has torn fans, friends, and even training camps apart before our very eyes, and we are just a business week away from finally being treated to its conclusion.
And among those divided by this match-up are the very fighters who once ruled the 205 lb division with an iron fist. Everyone from Chuck Liddell to Vitor Belfort to even Frank Shamrock (who was king of the division back in its “middleweight” days) recently weighed-in on the fight, and needless to say, they have it a lot closer than the bookies do at this point.
Let’s start with the division’s very first champion, Frank Shamrock, who was finally able to speak without unknowingly blinding his audience with the illuminating power of his braces:
This fight has a tremendous story behind it, with it having grown out of a friendship that went sour back when these two were teammates. The drama that’s fueling this is incredible. Fans can expect a fight that, stylistically, will be extremely challenging for Jones to overcome, and he’ll have fits with Rashad’s wrestling if he’s able to put Jon on his back. But ultimately, I see Jones being able to inflict more damage and walk away with the belt still in hand. This will be a fight that will not end as easily and devastatingly as Jones’s others have, but rather one of those moments in his career where he’ll have to pull himself up and battle until the final bell. In the end, this fight will help Jon become a better fighter and a better champion, and will endear himself to fans for years to come.
Join us after the jump to hear what the rest of the light heavyweight elite have to say about Bones/Suga.
(God damn…Randy Couture is looking ROUGH these days.)
It’s kind of a shame that we’ve barely managed to touch upon the aftermath of what was a fantastic UFC on FUEL event this past weekend, but simply put, UFC 145 has so much more on the line in terms of hype, hatred, and championship gold that the Swedish card can’t help but be placed on the back burner. The light heavyweight championship bout pitting Jon Jones against Rashad Evans has torn fans, friends, and even training camps apart before our very eyes, and we are just a business week away from finally being treated to its conclusion.
And among those divided by this match-up are the very fighters who once ruled the 205 lb division with an iron fist. Everyone from Chuck Liddell to Vitor Belfort to even Frank Shamrock (who was king of the division back in its “middleweight” days) recently weighed-in on the fight, and needless to say, they have it a lot closer than the bookies do at this point.
Let’s start with the division’s very first champion, Frank Shamrock, who was finally able to speak without unknowingly blinding his audience with the illuminating power of his braces:
This fight has a tremendous story behind it, with it having grown out of a friendship that went sour back when these two were teammates. The drama that’s fueling this is incredible. Fans can expect a fight that, stylistically, will be extremely challenging for Jones to overcome, and he’ll have fits with Rashad’s wrestling if he’s able to put Jon on his back. But ultimately, I see Jones being able to inflict more damage and walk away with the belt still in hand. This will be a fight that will not end as easily and devastatingly as Jones’s others have, but rather one of those moments in his career where he’ll have to pull himself up and battle until the final bell. In the end, this fight will help Jon become a better fighter and a better champion, and will endear himself to fans for years to come.
Never a man of many words, at least not coherently put together in a sentence, Tito Ortiz’s analysis was much simpler:
Jones is looking very good. But Rashad is fast, man, and once he hurts you he’s on you. I’d like to see Rashad use his wrestling and takedowns and really mix it up. I think it will be a great fight.
As for the rest of the former champs…
Randy Couture: “I think it is going to be very interesting, Rashad has the speed and skills to win. Rashad has to avoid his propensity for standing up and just striking, which he has done in the past. He can’t just strike with Jones; if he does he will lose because Jon has more tools in the toolbox. Rashad has to take Jones down, not just once or twice but every single time he has any opportunity. If Jones is worried about getting taken down, that’s when Rashad can put his hands on him and do some damage. But he has to keep Jon guessing if it is a takedown or a strike that’s coming.
I think Jones is super-talented and he is clearly getting better in each fight. He could turn into a very special type of champion. He poses some very unique problems in the Octagon – and so far no one has solved too many of them. I think this is a huge fight for the division. “Bones” Jones is very hot right now and with the personalities and the back story, it all hypes this up into a very interesting fight.”
Vitor Belfort: “I think this fight will be great for the sport because Jones and Evans used to train together. That changes things, now they are going to fight against each other. We are in the new era of sport with these athletes like Jon Jones and the techniques they can do. Both guys have a chance to be the winner, and it could come down to who is better on that one night. I am looking forward to seeing this huge fight.”
Chuck Liddell: “Everyone is different but, I think, for most fighters getting into the Octagon with someone they don’t like is a great motivation in training. Every time you are tired or holding a little back, you think about losing to this guy you can’t stand and it helps you give 100%. That’s how I was with Tito, I couldn’t stand the idea of losing to him and so I trained harder.
“I’d love to know who really got the best of it when these guys trained together. You get a feeling for someone when you spar with them. That’s why I was so confident against Tito; I’d beat him up standing, wrestling and at BJJ when we trained together years before out fights and I knew I was in his head because of that. Listening to Rashad, it seems from watching the Primetime show that he feels he’s in Jon’s head a little. He sounds very confident and I think that’s based on experiences in the gym. I’m glad he is confident, because that’s something you have to have against Jones. If you don’t go after Jon you are in for a bad night.”
Quinton Jackson: “Rashad has to go for it right from the start, for real. Rashad can’t play on the outside, you can’t fight no Jon Jones on the outside, believe me. Rashad is fast and can surprise you. He surprised me by faking a takedown and hitting me with a right hand which kinda stunned me. I think he can do that to Jon Jones, but he has to do it right away because the more time you give Jones, the harder it is to set him up for a punch. I think Jon Jones will win, but I think Rashad has a chance.”
Forrest Griffin: “This is a great fight. I’m glad I’m not fighting Jon Jones anytime soon, but I think Rashad has the right style to give him problems. There are so many emotions between these guys going into the fight, and I know the Atlanta fans will be getting their money’s worth. Jones looks very nasty, but I’m not going to underestimate Rashad. I kinda did that before once…”
Lyoto Machida: “Jones vs Evans is a big fight for the fans and a big fight for the division. It is a very interesting fight; Jones is very unorthodox and is strong in all aspects of the game, but Rashad is a great wrestler and has the hand speed to catch Jones.”
Mauricio Rua: “They are two very smart, strategic athletes. Both of them fight thinking of their opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and think about how to fight the best possible fight to win. But I think Jon Jones has an advantage, since he is very hard to reach. He is not only long (limbed) but also fast and he can react very quickly, I know this. So, I think it’s going to be Jones’ match. However, let’s not forget Rashad is also very strategic. I believe Rashad will have a good gameplan and I am very interested to see what he will try to do in this fight.”
Since we’ve already asked your opinion on who will emerge victorious from this one about a dozen times, let’s switch things up. How do you have this one ending? *prays for spinning elbow KO*
The first feeling I had when I learned that Mauricio Rua was scheduled to fight Thiago Silva was pure excitement, because of both of their vicious striking abilities and their willingness to use them (via Yahoo Sports).
