Tag: UFC 161

[*UPDATED*] Following Lil Nog’s Withdrawal, Chael Sonnen Wants in Against ‘Shogun’ Rua at UFC 161


(Coming Soon: The Pooricio “No Guns” Rua Chicken Sliders.)

Well, well, well. Guess who’s lobbying to replace an injured fighter on short notice again?

Yesterday, we informed you that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira had to pull out of his UFC 161 bout with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua less than two weeks before they were scheduled for their much-anticipated rematch. The UFC insists that “Shogun” is staying on the card, but the former champ needs an opponent and who in their right mind wants to fight someone as good as Rua on such short notice?

You guessed it, Frank Stallone Chael “P-Money” Sonnen:

BOOM! ROASTED.


(Coming Soon: The Pooricio “No Guns” Rua Chicken Sliders.)

Well, well, well. Guess who’s lobbying to replace an injured fighter on short notice again?

Yesterday, we informed you that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira had to pull out of his UFC 161 bout with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua less than two weeks before they were scheduled for their much-anticipated rematch. The UFC insists that “Shogun” is staying on the card, but the former champ needs an opponent and who in their right mind wants to fight someone as good as Rua on such short notice?

You guessed it, Frank Stallone Chael “P-Money” Sonnen:

BOOM! ROASTED. In case you’re wondering, Rua has not responded to Sonnen on twitter.

Sonnen is little more than a month removed from dominating one of Jon Jones’ toes and getting his own ass kicked by the rest of the champ. The loss was Sonnen’s second consecutive and his third loss in his last five fights. All three of those losses have come at the hands of men named either Jon Jones or Anderson Silva, so it isn’t as if Chael is losing to schmucks. He is losing, though,

What do you say, nation? Do you want to see Sonnen step in against “Shogun?” If not him, then who would you rather see in the spot?

*UPDATE* Globo is now reporting that Sonnen has indeed been signed to face Rua. More details to come.

– Elias Cepeda

Why Chael Sonnen vs. “Shogun” Rua for UFC 161 Makes Sense

The rumored matchup between Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva might not have come to fruition, but that doesn’t mean the gangster from West Linn, Oregon isn’t willing to call out another Brazilian.News broke over the weekend that Antonio Rog…

The rumored matchup between Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva might not have come to fruition, but that doesn’t mean the gangster from West Linn, Oregon isn’t willing to call out another Brazilian.

News broke over the weekend that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira was off the UFC 161 card vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, due to injury.  Sonnen offered up his services as a replacement, via Twitter early on Monday Morning:

 

Obviously, this is not the first time Sonnen has asked for a fight on short notice. He offered to face Jon Jones last September on eight-days notice, before UFC 151 was eventually cancelled. At that time Jones backed out, giving Sonnen months to talk trash until the fight was eventually made.

Sonnen was the recipient of high praise from UFC president Dana White, for being the only one willing to step up to fight Jones at that time. Not to say he has carte blanche here, but it seems logical that if he’s willing to step up to face “Shogun” on short notice, the UFC would give him the fight.

UFC 161 has already lost the main event between Eddie Wineland and Renen Barao due to an injury to the latter. The co-main event between Dan Henderson and Rashad Evans has since been moved up to main-event status. The card is slotted for June 15, in Winnipeg, Canada, giving Sonnen two weeks to get in shape—if he isn’t already—since his one-sided loss to Jon Jones at UFC 159, at the end of April.  

Shogun is also coming off a loss, falling to Alexander Gustafsson by unanimous decision back in December on the UFC on FOX: Henderson vs. Diaz card. He is currently ranked No. 7 in the UFC light-heavyweight rankings.

Even with only a two-week time span, Sonnen’s promotional skills would instantly make more fans gravitate toward watching UFC 161 and generate more pay-per-view buys. There are other light heavyweight’s available, but Sonnen makes the most sense as a replacement for the card, as opposed to scrapping the fight altogether.

Stylistically, it is a solid matchup between the two. Both fighters are known for their willingness to engage, so it could make for some excellent action throughout the fight. Sonnen will most likely look to close distance and work his wrestling for a takedown. Rua is the better striker, and is still a very dangerous muay thai fighter; his knees from the clinch, and leg kicks can be lethal.  

Rua also likes to take things to the ground at times, and has excellent leg trips. Should it get to the ground, the battle between a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and one of the best wrestlers in MMA for top position is an intriguing one as well.

This matchup is certainly one that the fans and media can get behind. We shall see if the fight does in fact get made in the coming days. We will probably, almost certainly see more tweets from Mr. Sonnen.

Michael Stets is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Chael Sonnen Issues Challenge to Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua

Chael Sonnen never relents. After Antonio Rogerio Nogueira pulled out of his UFC 161 matchup against Maurcio “Shogun” Rua, via Ariel Helwani, h/t Bloody Elbow, fight fans and critics alike channeled their inner Joe Silva and attempted to pred…

Chael Sonnen never relents. 

After Antonio Rogerio Nogueira pulled out of his UFC 161 matchup against Maurcio “Shogun” Rua, via Ariel Helwani, h/t Bloody Elbow, fight fans and critics alike channeled their inner Joe Silva and attempted to predict possible replacement opponents to save the fight. 

Wanderlei Silva makes sense, but he is a close friend (not the picture you expected, eh?) of Shogun’s. 

Ryan Jimmo, who is set to fight on the UFC 161 preliminary card on FX, also seems like a decent replacement and should be well-tuned for battle, but he boasts a meager 1-1 record inside the Octagon and his name does not carry the heft of Nogueira. 

Who, oh who could save the day? 

Can you hear the rockets ignite as the Star Spangled Banner begins? What beautiful music. 

Chael Sonnen has arrived, and he has something to say. 

Taking to his favorite trash-talking, deal-drafting forum, Twitter, Sonnen penned this gem, aimed directly at Mr. Shogun. 

It seems clear Sonnen is prepared to fill in for Nogueira and save the co-main event of the evening, and the UFC would undoubtedly agree to the bout should Shogun accept. 

Sonnen is guaranteed to plant butts in seats—live and at home—and the promotion cannot afford to argue logistics at this point (not that they ever do when it comes to Sonnen, but I digress).

Should Shogun accept, this fight is all kinds of intriguing. Each man badly needs a win, and each has a distinct advantage in a major facet of the sport. 

For Sonnen, the advantage (as usual) lies in his stellar wrestling and top control. Shogun has shown exceptional ground skills throughout his career, but there is little doubt that Sonnen possesses the upper hand should the fight turn into a grappling match. 

Shogun, however, can deliver Sonnen his third straight loss by utilizing his exceptional Muay Thai attack. As is well documented, Shogun hits hard—very hard—and Sonnen does not particularly enjoy getting smashed in the face (see: Silva, Anderson or Jones, Jon). 

While Sonnen‘s tweet does not confirm anything at this point, this is a raging blip on every MMA fan’s radar, and the UFC needs to make a decision with UFC 161 rapidly approaching on June 15. 

What do you think, Bleacher Report faithful? Will Sonnen talk his way into a high-profile matchup again, or has he exhausted his “gimmes?” 

 

For fans of MMA, heavy metal or general absurdity, 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira’s Future in UFC Could Be in Danger Following Injury

For many fighters, consecutive losses put their respective tenures in the sport’s largest organization in question. When it comes to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, the problem is his very physiology.Whether it is a flaw in his training program, inability to…

For many fighters, consecutive losses put their respective tenures in the sport’s largest organization in question. When it comes to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, the problem is his very physiology.

Whether it is a flaw in his training program, inability to slow his pace during camp or simply a lack of luck, Lil’ Nog simply seems incapable of staying healthy.

Pulling out of his fight with Mauricio Rua at UFC 161 has to cast doubt on Nogueira’s viability in the UFC altogether. The latest injury caused his third pull out since August of 2011.

Nogueira’s first injury was due to a shoulder injury, which forced him to drop out of a fight scheduled against Rich Franklin at UFC 133, according to MMAJunkie.com.

In 2012, Nogueira had to back out of a fight against Alexander Gustafsson that was scheduled for UFC on Fuel TV 2, citing a knee injury, according to StudioMMA.com.

A year later and Nogueira is injured once again. This time, the Brazilian has cited a back injury, which spoils a long-awaited rematch of his barnburner match with “Shogun” Rua in 2004. The news was first reported by Combate.com and later confirmed by John Morgan of MMAJunkie.com.

The drop out leaves a chasm in an already lacking UFC 161 card set for June 15. For the UFC, it raises questions of how much it is willing to float on Lil’ Nog, given his history. The Brazilian’s pattern of dropping out of main card fights costs the company each time it occurs.

And as good as hardcore fans of the sport know Rogerio Nogueira can be, he is not a big-name draw, in part due to his lack of screen time due to injury. When one considers the totality of the situation, including his recent lackluster performance against Rashad Evans at UFC 156, Nogueira’s time at the UFC could certainly be in danger.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 161 Loses Another Fighter, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira Injured & Out of Fight with ‘Shogun’ Rua


(Rogerio offered to still fight at UFC 161, if the bout were changed to tag-team rules)

GloboEsporte and MMAJunkie are both reporting that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira has been forced to pull out of his UFC 161 rematch bout against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. GloboEsporte reports the Brazilian’s injury as a herniated disc.

With UFC 161 less than two weeks away, it is unknown if a replacement is being sought by the UFC or will be found to fight Rua. Nogueira and Rua first fought in 2005 in the Pride Middleweight Tournament.

Rua earned a decision win after scoring a knockdown late in the fight. The bout is still regarded as one of the best in MMA history.

Rua would go on to win the tournament and, later, the UFC light heavyweight title. Nogueira has won his last two fights, over former champions Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz. It is still unknown how long his injury will keep him sidelined.

UFC 161 already lost its first main event, when interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao was injured and pulled out of his title defense against Eddie Wineland. Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson have since been matched up with one another as a replacement main event for the Winnipeg, Canada pay per view card.

– Elias Cepeda


(Rogerio offered to still fight at UFC 161, if the bout were changed to tag-team rules)

GloboEsporte and MMAJunkie are both reporting that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira has been forced to pull out of his UFC 161 rematch bout against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. GloboEsporte reports the Brazilian’s injury as a herniated disc.

With UFC 161 less than two weeks away, it is unknown if a replacement is being sought by the UFC or will be found to fight Rua. Nogueira and Rua first fought in 2005 in the Pride Middleweight Tournament.

Rua earned a decision win after scoring a knockdown late in the fight. The bout is still regarded as one of the best in MMA history.

Rua would go on to win the tournament and, later, the UFC light heavyweight title. Nogueira has won his last two fights, over former champions Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz. It is still unknown how long his injury will keep him sidelined.

UFC 161 already lost its first main event, when interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao was injured and pulled out of his title defense against Eddie Wineland. Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson have since been matched up with one another as a replacement main event for the Winnipeg, Canada pay per view card.

– Elias Cepeda

UFC 161 Fight Card: Possible Replacement Opponents for Mauricio Rua

The UFC 161 fight card was bitten by the injury bug once again on Sunday, as Globo.com reported that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira had been injured and would be forced out of his scheduled bout with fellow Brazilian Mauricio Rua. Less than two weeks ago, a …

The UFC 161 fight card was bitten by the injury bug once again on Sunday, as Globo.com reported that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira had been injured and would be forced out of his scheduled bout with fellow Brazilian Mauricio Rua. Less than two weeks ago, a bantamweight title fight was removed from the event due to a Renan Barao injury.

Not long after Globo broke the news on the Nogueira injury, MMAJunkie.com reporter John Morgan confirmed the unfortunate developments with UFC officials.

With fellow light heavyweights Dan Henderson and Rashad Evans headlining UFC 161 now, “Shogun” is not left with many potential top-10 opponents. However, the UFC could make a few moves that would allow Rua to remain on the fight card and in an intriguing matchup.

Perhaps the most interesting replacement opponent for Rua would be Glover Teixeira. Undefeated in four UFC bouts, Teixeira has risen to become a serious contender in the light heavyweight division, but he’s still looking for that signature win over a relevant top-10 fighter which would cement him as one of the biggest title threats in the division.

One issue with that matchup, though, is that Rua has already turned it down in a similar situation. After Thiago Silva was forced out of UFC 149 bout with him, Rua said no to a fight with Teixeira and ended up meeting Brandon Vera at UFC on Fox 4.

“He would rather be cut than fight him,” UFC president Dana White said of Rua‘s response to a potential fight with Teixeira.

Even if Rua has changed his tune regarding the matchup, Teixeira just fought James Te-Huna on May 25. Any nagging problems from that fight would put a hole in any plans to book a fight between Rua and Teixeira.

If a bout between “Shogun” and Teixeira doesn’t come to fruition, Wanderlei Silva would be a fantasy matchup for Rua. Unfortunately, the chances of Rua accepting that fight would be even more slim, as he and Silva became friends after training together at Chute Box Academy for years.

Should the UFC find a way to convince Rua and Silva to put friendship aside for one night, it could produce a Fight of the Year or Knockout of the Year candidate. “Shogun” and “The Axe Murderer” are both brutally aggressive strikers even as age appears to be catching up with them.

While Rua fights with Teixeira or Silva would be big draws for a suffering UFC 161 pay-per-view, a less exciting matchup could result from Nogueira’s injury.

Bleacher Report’s own Scott Harris made one of the more logical suggestions in the aftermath of the Nogueira injury news.

While it’d hurt to buy a pay-per-view with this as a co-main event, we’re probably most likely to see Rua meet Ryan Jimmo at UFC 161. Jimmo is already booked to fight on the fight card and is native of Canada, where the event will be held.

Rua lost in his last outing, so it wouldn’t be a travesty to match him up with an opponent who is also coming off of a loss. The UFC will also be able to sell Jimmo‘s ability to mount an upset with a single punch, as he’s not long removed from tying the fastest knockout in UFC history with a seven-second stoppage of Anthony Perosh.

Jimmo‘s currently scheduled opponent, Igor Pokrajac is low-ranked and lost his last fight, so the UFC shouldn’t have difficulty finding a suitable replacement for him. If they can’t, well, there would be much less of an outcry from fans should Pokrajac be removed from the fight card in comparison to Rua being scratched.

While the matchup between Rua and Jimmo might have some fans sitting on their wallets, it’s looking like the most likely outcome from this unfortunate situation within two weeks of the UFC 161 fight card.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com