LAME: Shogun Rua out until March of 2011

LAS VEGAS -- Rashad Evans won a light-heavyweight championship title opportunity when he beat Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in May, but he's going to have to wait a while to cash in his golden ticket.

UFC President Dana White confirmed Thursday that current champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua won't be back in the octagon for another eight months, likely returning in March 2011.

Still, White took that as good news, saying that his surgically repaired knee is healing well since a recent surgery.


"Shogun's great, his knee's coming along great," White said just after the UFC 116 pre-fight press conference. "It's all good."

Rua (19-4) captured the title at UFC 113 in May, when he avenged an earlier controversy loss to Lyoto Machida by becoming the first man to defeat him. The Muay Thai stylist knocked out Machida in just 3:35 to take the belt.

Meanwhile in the division, a rumored matchup pitting the aformentioned Jackson against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira has not been put together by the company, as has been reported by some MMA news outlets.

"It's not true, we don't have anything set up yet," White said. "With that division right now, Little Nog could fight Rampage, Rampage could fight Machida. There's a lot of fights we could make and we haven't made any decisions on that fight."

Asked if Nogueira-Jackson is being seriously considered by the UFC, White held his cards to the vest.

"We're looking at all of them," he said. "Time-wise, Rampage is still promoting the [A-Team] movie overseas, so we're trying to figure out what the next fight will be

Looks like Rashad/Rogerio could be that golden interim fight.

GDPofDRC wrote:

Looks like Rashad/Rogerio could be that golden interim fight.

The division's 3rd best fighter vs a guy who just eeked out a decision vs Brilz? It's cool that the fight would be a 5 rounder, but otherwise the interim tag is so meaningless.

What I would do with it all right now.

Evans/Rogerio - Interim fight in October, winner gets Shogun in the Spring.

Machida/Frankilin - In the fall. Gives Franlin two chances, 1 to avenge old loss, 2 to get another chance to be real relevant at LHW. Get Machida back in the fold against another seasoned fighter.

Bader/Forrest - Because Bader>Jardine>Forrest. Just Kidding, Forrest should be ready for a fight soon and Bader is said to be fighting a yet to be named opponent at 119... so, why not. Winner gets Evans/Rogerio loser or either Franklin or Machida.

Rampage/Bone(should he get by Vlady) - More black on black crime. Will show if Rampage has it still or if Bones truly will be the next great thing. If page wins he gets any rematch he wants as long as that opponent is not the champ. Bones gets a top 4 opponent then serious title shot consideration if he wins out on that.

Vera/Diabante - because this is my post.

Janitor/Brillz - Wanted to see it for over 4 years now.

Silva/Cane - No not really.

GDPofDRC wrote:

Janitor/Brillz - Wanted to see it for over 4 years now.

funny I got to see both of them fight live at UFC 103 in Dallas. I didn't even remember Brilz being on the card until I recently went back and looked at the pictures I took.

Don't mind the first 2 fights G, then you lose me.

I suggested Shad vs Lil Nog for an interim title yesterday but it got shot down.

Rashad vs Anderson...if he beats Sonnen.

They aren't having Anderson go anywhere until he fights Belfort. That's the only guy they've ever had that poses a legit threat on the feet against him

I'm just disappointed we have to wait this long to see Rashad get knocked out

bobbitt15 wrote:

They aren't having Anderson go anywhere until he fights Belfort. That's the only guy they've ever had that poses a legit threat on the feet against him

+1

I don't want to see Anderson at 205lb until he's done with Belfort.

Agree with Lil Nog vs Rashad

Then I'd give Franklin vs Couture for the next shot. (just giving the older/legends one last shot at the title)

Machida vs Forrest vs Rampage (the winner of this would need 1 more win)

I was just joking about Spider vs Rashad. That is a horrible idea IMO.

Franklin/Couture for next shot? They'd need to fight the actually contenders Machida, Page, Lil Nog to get a shot.

tolivendiewithLA wrote:

Franklin/Couture for next shot? They'd need to fight the actually contenders Machida, Page, Lil Nog to get a shot.

Stranger things have happened.

Shit... Ken Griffey Jr. thinks this guy is on the sidelines too much.

This really sucks... I hate interims and don't think it's too long to go to need an interim, but it is an awful long time for Evans to sit and wait for his crack at Shogun. Maybe he doesn't care since he went 10 months between Bisping and Liddell, but I know most guys don't like to go that long between fights...

The layover for Liddell really helped him though. I don't know if he'd mind waiting since he is still in a growing phase as a fighter. He could honestly benefit from an extended camp considering how dangerous his opponent is for him.

How many injuries has he had in his career? He isn't even 30 yet...will this effect his longevity?

It has to. He has already missed a good chunk due to those injuries (Have never checked but wouldn't be shocked if there was a subtitle for his injuries on Wiki), and they will get to him as he gets older. We will someday be treating him like other great athletes that had injury issues... Saying what if? He very well might be the Grif or Terrell Davis of MMA...

So how many years past 30 will Shogun be fighting?

If he can't get those knees right, he won't make it to 35.

LikesToFightGuy wrote:

If he can't get those knees right, he won't make it to 35.

I honestly don't see any way he is still fighting at 35....I just don't see it. Plenty of wear and tear by that point. His resume by that time is going to be off the charts.

Only if he can stay in the cage long enough to add to the legacy. He may only get another half dozen fights by then and there's no guarantee he doesn't fight half of those looking like he did for Forrest if he's bogged down by the knees...

I don't see as much doom and gloom. Lot's of guys have blown their knees this many times.

Wolfgangsta wrote:

I don't see as much doom and gloom. Lot's of guys have blown their knees this many times.

at the same age?