Tag: Mauricio Rua

UFC 134 Fight Card: Raphael Assuncao vs. Johnny Eduardo Preview

After losing to Erik Koch in his UFC debut, Raphael Assuncao has lost three of his last four fights. Now, Assuncao will look to bounce back with a drop to the bantamweight division and a fight against UFC newcomer Johnny Eduardo. Heading in a much diff…

After losing to Erik Koch in his UFC debut, Raphael Assuncao has lost three of his last four fights. Now, Assuncao will look to bounce back with a drop to the bantamweight division and a fight against UFC newcomer Johnny Eduardo.

Heading in a much different direction than fellow Brazilian Assuncao, the 33-year-old Eduardo has won his last 11 bouts. Although he will be making his UFC debut, Eduardo brings a lot of experience into UFC 134, as he has competed against the likes of Takanori Gomi.

For Assuncao, a loss would mean a fourth defeat in five appearances, which could lead to his release from the UFC. The former WEC featherweight has beaten fighters such as Jorge Masvidal, Joe Lauzon and Yves Jabouin over the course of his seven-year career.

In what will be the final Brazilian-on-Brazilian fight of the evening, Assuncao and Eduardo are both well-versed in jiu-jitsu. However, Eduardo has been submitted more than a handful of times throughout his career, which could end up being the determining factor in this bout.

Between them, Assuncao and Eduardo have combined for 22 submission victories, so there is a very good chance that this fight ends with someone tapping or going to sleep. Despite falling on hard times as of late, the numbers are on Assuncao’s side heading into this fight.

This fight between Assuncao and Eduardo will serve as the fourth bout on the UFC 134 Facebook stream, which will start at approximately 6 p.m. ET on the UFC’s official Facebook page. The live Facebook stream will air five preliminary card bouts before leading into the final two preliminary card fights on Spike TV.

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. Sean has also had his work featured on UFC.com. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @SeanSmithMMA.

UFC 134 Preview: Erick Silva vs. Luis Ramos Preview

Originally booked for a fight with UFC veteran Mike Swick, highly-touted Brailian prospect and former Jungle Fight champion Erick Silva will now meet fellow Brazilian Luis Ramos. Ramos stepped in as a replacement after a knee injury forced Swick out of…

Originally booked for a fight with UFC veteran Mike Swick, highly-touted Brailian prospect and former Jungle Fight champion Erick Silva will now meet fellow Brazilian Luis Ramos. Ramos stepped in as a replacement after a knee injury forced Swick out of the original bout.

Mike Swick has already been out of action for well over one year, so this additional setback could easily stretch the veteran’s hiatus to more than two years. At 32 years old, injury problems could lead to the demise of a once-promising welterweight.

 Silva has only lost once in his 13 official fights, which have all taken place in Silva’s home country. The 27-year-old Silva trains under Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and will be looking for his ninth straight win at UFC 134.

Nova Uniao-trained Ramos has won six of his last seven fights, with his only loss during that time coming against former UFC fighter Roan Carneiro. At 30 years old, this fight will be an excellent opportunity for Ramos to make a name for himself in Brazil.

These two Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners have never been submitted, so it wouldn’t be surprising for this welterweight bout to turn into a stand-up battle. Whether the fight takes place standing or on the ground, the Brazilian crowd will demand an exciting scrap between their two compatriots.  

This fight between Silva and Ramos will serve as the third bout on the UFC 134 Facebook stream, which will start at approximately 6 p.m. ET on the UFC’s official Facebook page. The live Facebook stream will air five preliminary card bouts before leading into the final two preliminary card fights on Spike TV.

Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. Sean has also had his work featured on UFC.com. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @SeanSmithMMA.

UFC 134: The Best Quotes from the Fighters Leading Up to the Event in Brazil

The UFC returns to Brazil for the first time in 13 years Saturday night, and they are bringing a stacked card featuring some of the best fighters to ever fight out of the country.
Most of the fighters on the card do their talking in the cage, but each …

The UFC returns to Brazil for the first time in 13 years Saturday night, and they are bringing a stacked card featuring some of the best fighters to ever fight out of the country.

Most of the fighters on the card do their talking in the cage, but each let the public know where their motivation comes from for their upcoming bouts.

In the main event, UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva defends his title against Yushin Okami in a rematch of a 2006 bout that Silva lost by disqualification.

The co-main event features former UFC light heavyweight champions Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Forrest Griffin, who will also be competing in a rematch of a fight from UFC 76 that Griffin won.

Other main card bouts include Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Brendan Schaub, Edson Barboza vs. Ross Pearson and Stanislav Nedkov vs. Luiz Cane.

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Forrest Griffin vs. Mauricio Rua II: Full Breakdown

At UFC Rio, fans will be treated to a rematch four years in the making.   At UFC 76, Forrest Griffin shocked the world when he submitted Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, earning him a shot for the title.   Since the first match, both men have been cham…

At UFC Rio, fans will be treated to a rematch four years in the making.  

At UFC 76, Forrest Griffin shocked the world when he submitted Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, earning him a shot for the title.  

Since the first match, both men have been champions but both have failed to defend it.  

While Griffin has since won two straight, Rua is coming off a loss.  

He’s hungry for a win, wants to avenge the loss Griffin handed him on his UFC debut, and wants to please his fans.  

In what will probably be an all-out war, only one fighter can come out on top.

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UFC 134 Video: Ultimate 8 Ranks the Greatest Fighters From Brazil

UFC 134 will be the promotion’s first event in Brazil in 13 years, and they are bringing pound-for-pound king and UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, who many consider to be the greatest mixed martial artist in the histor…

UFC 134 will be the promotion’s first event in Brazil in 13 years, and they are bringing pound-for-pound king and UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, who many consider to be the greatest mixed martial artist in the history of the sport.

This week’s edition of Ultimate Insider showcases the eight greatest fighters to ever come out of Brazil, including Silva and other UFC 134 fighters Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

The UFC has showcased the skills of many of its champions, including Lyoto Machida, Royce Gracie and Jose Aldo, and they all make up part of the list.

When Silva enters the cage this Saturday, he will be opposite to the last man to beat him in Yushin “Thunder” Okami. The muay-thai expert and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt was disqualified after knocking Okami out with an illegal kick in a 2006 bout.

The co-main event features “Shogun” Rua going up against Forrest Griffin in a rematch of their 2007 fight. Griffin upset the former UFC light heavyweight champion by submitting him in the third round.

The video features Griffin giving insight into his background and personal life outside the cage in an exclusive interview with Joe Rogan.

Also on the card from Brazil, Nogueira goes up against an up-and-comer in Brendan Schaub in a heavyweight fight that could have serious title implications.

Other main card bouts include Edson Barboza vs. Ross Pearson and Stanislav Nedkov vs. Luiz Cane.

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Rashad Evans Says Shogun Rua Lacks Conditioning, Predicts Forrest Griffin to Win

While Forrest Griffin approaches his upcoming rematch with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 134, not many fans are giving him a chance to get past the Brazilian again, including himself. But Rashad Evans does. According to the former UFC Light He…

While Forrest Griffin approaches his upcoming rematch with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 134, not many fans are giving him a chance to get past the Brazilian again, including himself. 

But Rashad Evans does. 

According to the former UFC Light Heavyweight champion, Griffin already holds the psychological edge from his first win over Rua, but he points to Rua’s conditioning issues that will contribute to Griffin earning the victory.

“Shogun does not have the best conditioning,” Evans told Tapout Radio. 

“I think that was a problem in their first fight, and I think it’s going to be a problem in this second fight.”

Evans knows full well of what Griffin is capable of. The two competitors squared off at UFC 92 that saw Evans beat Griffin and capture the light heavyweight title. Griffin kept a good, strategic pace during the fight as he pressed forward, imposing his massive frame, and attacked aggressively with combinations and leg kicks. 

While Griffin might not be the most talented fighter, he makes up for it with heart and determination. It’s an attribute that few fighters can possess and clearly Evans saw it in him then and still sees it in him now. 

Evans said it is Griffin’s ability to constantly wear on his opponent that forces them to break down. Evans believes Griffin took Rua’s will after their first bout.

“There’s something that happens in a fight sometimes, and the way Forrest beat him the first time, he took a piece of him with him,” he said.

“I think they might pick up right where they left off, because there’s no fear. That’s gone.”

Certainly there is no fear or quit in Griffin, despite his self-depreciating manner. It is what retains his relevancy in the 205 lb division and popularity with the fans. And at UFC 134, he will look to finish what he started against Rua. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com