Mauricio Rua manager: I'd like Shogun to fight Tito Ortiz on the New Year's Eve UFC show

http://www.mmamania.com/2011/9/3/2402548/mauricio-rua-manager-id-like-shogun-to-fight-tito-ortiz-on-the-new

Mauricio Rua made a successful return to the Octagon this past Aug. 27, 2011, at UFC 134 in Brazil by knocking out former Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin in the very first round.

And now he's got his sights set on... Tito Ortiz?

Indeed, the former 205-pound king apparently desires a contest against "The Bad Boy" before he sets sail for Huntington Beach ... for good.

"Shogun" never did get to square off against Randy Couture before he left the sport, so now his team is making it clear they would like to get their turn against Ortiz before he does the same.

At least, this is what his manager and mouthpiece, Eduardo Alonso, tells Tatame:

"I've been hearing some rumors, but until now there's nothing concrete about UFC. If it depends only on my plannings, he'd fight on December 31st, it'd be great. I'd really like him to fight Tito Ortiz since he's an icon of the sport and will soon retire. He didn't have the chance to fight (Randy) Couture, something Lyoto had the luck and credits to do, but I'd like to see this fight. It came from Tito himself, who challenged him, but we're realistic. I know it's not much likely, so it's only left for us to wait. Everybody knows Shogun doesn't pick his opponents, so we're opened to discussion. To me, the date (December 31st) is more important than the opponent."

Unlikely match-up is unlikely.

Ortiz, who staved off retirement with a stunning first round submission victory over Ryan Bader at UFC 132 on July 2, made a quick turnaround and fought Rashad Evans just over a month later at UFC 133 on Aug. 6.

He lost that fight and wasn't altogether competitive in the process.

As noted previously, Rua is coming off a complete drubbing of Griffin. While matching up the two former champions is certainly a possibility, it clearly doesn't make sense in the grand scheme of the light heavyweight division.

Then again, current division champion Jon Jones is booked to battle Quinton Jackson with the winner of that bout taking on "Suga" Rashad. "Shogun" will need something to do in the meantime.

But is a fight against Ortiz the smart play? Anyone care to see this fight before we no longer have the chance?

I do not think that would be a good fight for Ortiz, he does not have the striking to keep Rua off of him, and the pressure would be too much, 1st round KO, big fight for the UFC though, two big names, New Years show good numbers, as for the fight, 2-3 minutes and Ortiz's door to retirement is wide open again.

Fuck around with Tito and you may get your wish and a SD loss.

Rua would ruin Tito.

Very disappointing.

Shogun should be asking for Bones, Rampage, Rashad, or Hendo.

If you want to fight a legend why not call out Hendo?

killerofchicken wrote:

If you want to fight a legend why not call out Hendo?

Because Hendo would knock his ass out in the 3rd.

Lol Farmer... I know, Hendo is American therefore the better fighter

killerofchicken wrote:

Lol Farmer... I know, Hendo is American therefore the better fighter

Apparently that theory went out the window in Rio.

Rua vs. Hendo needs to happen !

Let the winner of Tito vs. Ace meet the winner of that.

Rua V Hendo would be a much better fight, Henderson has never turtled up to strikes.

Ali wrote:

Rua vs. Hendo needs to happen !

Let the winner of Tito vs. Ace meet the winner of that.

Rua v Hendo winner gets title shot.

The loser can fight the winner of Franklin - Ortiz.

Farmer1906 wrote:

Very disappointing.

Shogun should be asking for Bones, Rampage, Rashad, or Hendo.

THIS!

killerofchicken wrote:

If you want to fight a legend why not call out Hendo?

+1

Ummmm.....I would root for Tito, because he is an American, but I wouldn't put money on it...

Farmer1906 wrote:

Very disappointing.

Shogun should be asking for Bones, Rampage, Rashad, or Hendo.

Why is Shogun wanting to fight Tito disappointing? Its probably been a fight he's always wanted

bobbitt15 wrote:

Farmer1906 wrote:

Very disappointing.

Shogun should be asking for Bones, Rampage, Rashad, or Hendo.

Why is Shogun wanting to fight Tito disappointing? Its probably been a fight he's always wanted

Because top fighters should not call out crappy has beens who aren't good fighters. If they do, it is disappointing.

bobbitt15 wrote:

Farmer1906 wrote:

Very disappointing.

Shogun should be asking for Bones, Rampage, Rashad, or Hendo.

Why is Shogun wanting to fight Tito disappointing? Its probably been a fight he's always wanted

Yeah but its definitely not the best time to want to fight him coming off a loss is it? if Tito would have beaten Rashad it would have made alittle more sense.

I'm sure Shogun was watching Tito when they were both top of the food chain and has always wanted that fight. I don't make it rule that fighters are never allowed to call out anyone ranked below them

bobbitt15 wrote:

I'm sure Shogun was watching Tito when they were both top of the food chain and has always wanted that fight. I don't make it rule that fighters are never allowed to call out anyone ranked below them

Not that he is ranked lower but the fact that he is coming off a loss is bigger to me.

I don't know according to Tito he did his fight with Bader, he did the fight with Rashad for UFC, so in Tito's mind he still has a win under his belt and the loss really shouldn't count against him, Shogun probably has wanted to fight Tito for a long time, but he should realize where he is at opposed to where Ortiz is, his goal should be getting the belt back, fighting Tito gets him nowhere close to that, now a fight with Phil Davis, that sounds good.

Good call on Davis.

This is on the same level to me as if Shogun called out Keith Jardine or Kimbo Slice.

Why Rua call out Page ? he whupped his ass back in Pride with an exclamation mark.

Ali wrote:

Why Rua call out Page ? he whupped his ass back in Pride with an exclamation mark.

That would prove nothing to Rua as he has already beat him and easily. I want to see Rua vs Hendo.

freakzilla wrote:

Ali wrote:

Why Rua call out Page ? he whupped his ass back in Pride with an exclamation mark.

That would prove nothing to Rua as he has already beat him and easily. I want to see Rua vs Hendo.

My thoughts exactly.