After UFC 134 win, "Shogun" Rua possibly one win away from Jon Jones rematch

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RIO DE JANEIRO – Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua had much reason to celebrate his UFC 134 win over Forrest Griffin.

The victory served as revenge for a 2007 loss to Griffin and helped keep Rua relevant in the UFC's 205-pound title picture.

But Rua (20-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC) said the celebration will be only mild. Satisfaction will come only when current champ Jon Jones (13-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has been defeated.

"I've only had five losses," Rua said in his native Portuguese. "I've managed to avenge all of them except Jon Jones and [Renato 'Babalu' Sobral]. 'Babalu' is my friend, and he's on my team, so I wouldn't think of doing that. The only guy left then is Jon Jones."

Jones, of course, destroyed Rua in a March 2011 contest while stealing the belt from the Brazilian before he could register even one successful title defense. The one-sided beatdown left some wondering whether Rua's best days were behind him.

But fighting in his native Brazil for the first time in eight years, Rua looked in vintage form and needed fewer than two minutes to dispose of Griffin at Rio de Janeiro's HSBC Arena. The rowdy Brazilian crowd was cheering and chanting loudly throughout, and Rua said he appreciated the vocal backing.

"For sure they were screaming, but I found it all very motivating," Rua said. "It gives you more energy, more motivation. So we were happy that the crowd was supporting me.

"We find motivation from many different sources. So I find motivation from my family, my friends, my country. But my motivation currently is the UFC and fighting in the UFC. It was very special to do so in my country."

What comes next for Rua is still uncertain. Jones defends his belt in next month against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in UFC 135's main event. Fellow ex-champ Rashad Evans is coming off a convincing win over Tito Ortiz. That leaves a lot of options for Rua, who UFC president Dana White said now belongs in future championship discussions.

"[That] was a big win for him," White said. "The guy just lost the title to Jon Jones, who many people believe – I've got Jon Jones ranked No. 3 pound-for-pound in the world. (He) beats Forrest Griffin, who's one of the top light heavyweights in the world. It put 'Shogun' right back in the title hunt."

Rua said he believes it will take one more win before he gets a shot at revenge. With a positive result, he may be right. And when it's time, Rua insists he'll be prepared.

"Jones is a very [skilled] guy, at the top of the division," Rua said. "He's a guy who deserves a lot of respect, because he fights well."

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People tend to forget how bad Shogun beat up Jackson. Or how bad Evans got smashed by Machida. Or how bad Machida got smashed by Shogun. Fighters can recover from such losses.

yes they can, and i hope Shogun does + stays healthy while doing so. his health is the key here

Well after Rashad there is no one else besides Rua and Machida for Jones/Rashad winner to fight.

You guys think we see Shogun Machida III? I wouldn't be surprised to be honest

Hope not. Rua already beat him twice

Evans and Henderson. That is who I would book Rua against. If neither of them, then Machida. That way he streak of only fighting UFC champions continues.

Mauricio Rua vs Anderson Silva book it!

freakzilla wrote:

Mauricio Rua vs Anderson Silva book it!

Yeah, that fight works for me.

GDPofDRC wrote:

freakzilla wrote:

Mauricio Rua vs Anderson Silva book it!

Yeah, that fight works for me.

as much as i'd like this fight i doubt it ever happens, unless shogun was to drop to 185.

i do like the idea of him facing only past or current champs though

killerofchicken wrote:

GDPofDRC wrote:

freakzilla wrote:

Mauricio Rua vs Anderson Silva book it!

Yeah, that fight works for me.

as much as i'd like this fight i doubt it ever happens, unless shogun was to drop to 185.

i do like the idea of him facing only past or current champs though

He has fought a past, present, or future champ 7 fights in a row now, if you wanna figure Overeem into that equation, it would be 8.

yup, pretty amazing if you ask me

That was Griffin's 7th in a row against past, present and future champs also, both are 4-3, though every knows Shogun should be 5-2.

If Anderson were to win the LHW title then there would be no argument from anyone that he is the GOAT. I think that he loses to Jones and Rua though so that's why he will never move up.

You mean Rampage?

It's too late for Rampage to be the GOAT.

Nah I'm talking about rematch with Rampage cause he will have the belt.

josh200612 wrote:

Nah I'm talking about rematch with Rampage cause he will have the belt.

So Rampage will beat Jones then Rashad? wishful thinking

freakzilla wrote:

josh200612 wrote:

Nah I'm talking about rematch with Rampage cause he will have the belt.

So Rampage will beat Jones then Rashad? wishful thinking

Yep it's called the Throw Them Buggalo's Tour

If Page beats Jones, that Rematch with Bones could come very quick.

If Rampage did win though, I still rather see both Shogun and Jones fight other guys before rematching though. Close fights need quick turnarounds on the rematch calendar. Others give it three or four fights.

If Rampage beats Bones they would definitely angle for a title fight with Shogun to mix things up before making him have to try and go through Bones

They would have a lot of options really. Rampage against Evans would be as much heat as Rampage against Shogun, and whoever it isn't would go fight Bones in the Shogun/Bones II or Evans/Jones Debacle.