Tag: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua

Global Fight League Announces Cities & Team Managers For Launch Year, “Shogun” Rua & Yoel Romero Among Latest Signings

The Global Fight League (GFL) has revealed a range of crucial updates about how the structure of the budding MMA organization will look. The newly launched promotion has already secured an array of over 300 fighters, including several high-profile former stars from renowned organizations such as the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. The GFL is said […]

The Global Fight League (GFL) has revealed a range of crucial updates about how the structure of the budding MMA organization will look.

The newly launched promotion has already secured an array of over 300 fighters, including several high-profile former stars from renowned organizations such as the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. The GFL is said to make its highly anticipated debut this April, with the precise commencement date yet to be revealed.

The GFL introduces an innovative team-based format, featuring six teams from cities around the world competing in a league structure that includes playoffs. The first draft is scheduled for Jan. 24.

The GFL disclosed the latest draft entrants in a recent press release, as well as the cities that will represent each team and the managers and coaches set to lead them.

The new draft pool features notable names such as Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Yoel Romero, Chad Mendes, Renan Barao, Douglas Lima, Ovince Saint Preux and Todd Duffee. Meanwhile, the six teams will represent some of the world’s most iconic cities: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, São Paulo, London and Dubai.

Here’s a look at the managers and coaches appointed to lead the six teams in the GFL:

  • Los Angeles: UFC Hall of Famer Wanderlei Silva has been named the manager of Team Los Angeles, with the renowned Rafael Cordeiro stepping in as the head coach.
  • Miami: Thiago Alves will manage Team Miami, with Conan Silveira as the head coach.
  • New York: The manager for Team New York is still to be announced, with the team set to be coached by the famed Ray Longo.
  • São Paulo: Team São Paulo will be led by Brazil’s own former UFC champion Lyoto Machida as manager, with the legendary Andre Pederneiras as the team’s coach.
  • London: UFC veteran Luke Barnatt will take the reins as manager, while Carl Prince of Manchester Top Team will serve as the head coach for Team London.

Darren Owen, the company’s co-founder, has outlined an array of unique benefits tailored to prioritize fighters’ welfare.

These include comprehensive training support, insurance coverage, a 50-50 revenue-sharing model, pension plans, and various other perks aimed at ensuring financial stability and fostering long-term professional well-being for the athletes.

The promotion has, however, come under fire for signing a number of aging veterans for the upcoming draft, including Frank Mir, Marlon Moraes, and Tyron Woodley.

Forrest Griffin speaks on history with Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Stephan Bonnar’s recent passing

Forrest Griffin, Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, Stephan BonnarUFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin reminisced about his time knowing Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and reflected on the passing of former opponent Stephan Bonnar.  The former light heavyweight champion spoke with Barstool Sports’ Robbie Fox about his history with Shogun Rua, who recently announced his retirement at UFC 283. Griffin had nothing but good things […]

Forrest Griffin, Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, Stephan Bonnar

UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin reminisced about his time knowing Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and reflected on the passing of former opponent Stephan Bonnar. 

The former light heavyweight champion spoke with Barstool Sports’ Robbie Fox about his history with Shogun Rua, who recently announced his retirement at UFC 283. Griffin had nothing but good things to say about Rua. The two fighters squared off in 2007 and 2011 with each taking a win. 

“Shogun’s a classy dude. Like I’ve always liked him,” Griffin said. “I fought in Brazil before I was ever with the UFC and his manager is the guy that put the event on and got me the fights down there. I broke my arm in the second fight with him and [Shogun’s manager] he personally took me to the hospital and I’ll never forget that.” 

Forrest Griffin Speaks Out About Stephan Bonnar’s Death

Griffin and Stephan Bonnar played a huge part in the UFC’s trajectory. They competed in the The Ultimate Fighter 1 finale. The fight is considered one of the best highlights in both fighters’ careers. Griffin and Bonnar were even inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2013 for their epic battle. Griffin spoke on Bonnar’s recent passing and legacy that cemented in the success of the UFC.  

“We all do this thing because of our own mentality, we want to blame the person that’s died for something not necessarily blame them but say well they did X that’s why they died so soon well you know Stephan wasn’t…wasn’t in a bad place when he passed like he wasn’t doing anything that you and I don’t do he was going to bed early working out as much as he could you know, he’s living like a good life at the time,” Griffin said. 

“His legacy and the importance he played in the UFC at that moment [was] that kind of tipping point. You really can’t undersell that it was a huge thing.” (h/t Middle Easy)

Dana White Confirms Maurício “Shogun” Rua Will Fight Out UFC Contract

UFC President Dana White has confirmed that former champion Maurício “Shogun” Rua will be granted the final fight of his contract. On this past weekend’s UFC 274 main card, “Shogun” ran it back with Ovince Saint Preux. When the pair first met at UFC Fight Night 56 back in 2014, the Brazilian was viciously knocked…

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UFC President Dana White has confirmed that former champion Maurício “Shogun” Rua will be granted the final fight of his contract.

On this past weekend’s UFC 274 main card, “Shogun” ran it back with Ovince Saint Preux. When the pair first met at UFC Fight Night 56 back in 2014, the Brazilian was viciously knocked out in just 34 seconds. Given his understandable decline at the age of 40, as well as the damage he’s taken across two decades of fighting, many fans feared for a similar fate in the rematch.

Fortunately, or unfortunately for those wanting more action, the pair went the full 15-minute distance in a pretty forgettable fight, with “OSP” leaving Phoenix with a second victory over “Shogun” on his record, this time via split decision.

Despite the defeat, White said that the former light heavyweight titleholder will be granted his wish to fight out his contract in the promotion.

During his appearance at the UFC 274 post-fight press conference, the UFC chief noted that Rua was by no means convincingly beaten, nor did he give any indication that he should be prevented from competing one last time.

“’Shogun’ is a legend, not just here but in the sport: Pride, here, and it’s not like ‘Shogun’ went out there tonight and looked like, ‘Oh my God, this guy can’t even compete in the sport anymore.’ He’s got one more fight left on his contract. So I’ll give it to him, and let him make that money, and go out the way he wants to,” said White.

Given the decision to match “Shogun” with another veteran of the sport this past weekend, it stands to reason that the UFC will follow a similar route for the Brazilian’s final fight.

Although given how the rematch with “OSP” went, perhaps it won’t be on a pay-per-view main card…

Who should Maurício “Shogun” Rua share the Octagon with for his final contracted fight?

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Shogun Rua vs. Ovince St. Preux 2 Targeted For UFC 274

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will make his return to the cage later this year against Ovince St. Preux. The fight booking was first reported by MMA journalist Marcel Dorff. Rua has previously stated that he intends on fighting at least two more times before calling it a career. The 40-year-old last…

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Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will make his return to the cage later this year against Ovince St. Preux.

The fight booking was first reported by MMA journalist Marcel Dorff.

Rua has previously stated that he intends on fighting at least two more times before calling it a career. The 40-year-old last fought against Paul Craig at UFC 255, losing via second-round knockout.

Rua earned the UFC light heavyweight title after defeating Lyoto Machida at UFC 113. He would go on to lose the belt to Jon Jones in his first title defense at UFC 128.

St. Preux has spent time at light heavyweight and heavyweight since losing in an interim title fight against Jones at UFC 197. He has lost three of his last four fights in the cage, including most recently against heavyweight contender Tanner Boser last June.

St. Preux and Rua have previously battled in the Octagon in their tenures with the promotion. St. Preux knocked out Rua in just 34 seconds in a UFC Fight Night event in late 2014.

St. Preux went on to earn dominant wins over Patrick Cummins and Rafael Cavalcante before losing to Jones for the interim light heavyweight belt.

Both Rua and St. Preux are looking to get back in the win column before their respective careers come to a close. UFC 274 will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.

What is your prediction for Shogun Rua vs. Ovince St. Preux?

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Former UFC Champion Shogun Rua Wants Two More Fights Before Retiring

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will be hanging up his gloves but first he must do this …
Continue Reading Former UFC Champion Shogun Rua Wants Two More Fights Before Retiring at MMA News.

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will be hanging up his gloves but first he must do this …

Continue Reading Former UFC Champion Shogun Rua Wants Two More Fights Before Retiring at MMA News.

Dana White: Shogun Looked Like A Shell Of Himself, Should Retire

Dana White believes that UFC 255 should be the last time we see Mauricio “Shogun” Rua compete in MMA. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has certainly had a Hall of Fame career, dating back to his successful Pride run all the way through his 13 years in the UFC, wh…

Dana White believes that UFC 255 should be the last time we see Mauricio “Shogun” Rua compete in MMA. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has certainly had a Hall of Fame career, dating back to his successful Pride run all the way through his 13 years in the UFC, which includes one world championship. Rua’s name is […]

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