Mauricio “Shogun” Rua arose in MMA as something of a phenomenon. It didn’t take long before he won over Japan through the Pride Middleweight GP and dominated his division using stomps and an attractive fighting style. With the end of the Japanese organization, the natural route for the Brazilian was the most promising market of the moment: the UFC.
The Brazilian arrived in the American organization already tipped to become champion, and as the most likely to become the main challenger for the light heavyweight belt, belonging to Quinton Jackson. But what the world witnessed was an unrecognizable Shogun in his debut against Forrest Griffin, as a knee injury hindered his preparations for the fight. Soon thereafter, the UFC threw him a great opportunity to redeem himself, offering him a bout against superstar Chuck Liddell at UFC 85.
Once again the knee got in the way of the Jiu-Jitsu black belt, who is now focusing his energies on returning to being the fighter everyone had expected him to be: a fighting ace. With a new gym, having all the time he needs to return to form and regain his morale, the youngest brother of Murilo Ninja had a talk with GRACIEMAG.com about his new phase, his desire to fight Chuck, and recovery. Check out the main points of the discussion:
Recovery
“I’ve been lifting weights, doing physiotherapy and swimming every day. My physiotherapist has cleared me to do some light boxing next week, but as I’m going to travel with my brother to catch his fight in Hawaii three weeks from now, I decided only to return to training after the trip.
Universidade da Luta (Fight University)
“I’m also having work done on my house, besides working on inaugurating the gym (Universidade da Luta), which will take place two weeks from now. Our gym will be based on Couture’s Xtreme Couture, and will be at the level of foreign gyms. We decided to stay here in Brazil and so we’ll have to have the best, including a 135 sq meter (450 sq ft) mat. We’ll have the best structure in Brazil.
“If where I am isn’t first rate, I’d never have left Chute Boxe. The UFC is my work and my boss. We’re not kids anymore and will prove to everyone that I’ll be well prepared. We haven’t even inaugurated yet and we already have a good team, which everyone will get to know domestically and internationally in the events to come.”
Chuck Liddell
“I respect him a lot as a fighter and I think he, besides being a warrior, is top of the category. I’ve been watching him since I started fighting. My fans can be sure I’ll be back at 100%. I’d like for him to wait and fight me at the end of the year. If I could choose who I’d fight on my return, it would be him, for sure, and I hope he accepts.
