Mauricio Rua resumes training, hopes to have next fight lined up soon against 'the best'

http://www.mmamania.com/2012/1/4/2682886/mauricio-rua-training-next-fight-2012-ufc

After his brutal and epic back-and-forth brawl that has been labeled by many as the 2011 "Fight of the Year" with Dan Henderson at UFC 139 on Nov. 19, 2011, Mauricio Rua has been as quiet as a Christmas mouse.

Presumably, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion has been taking some time to himself to heal and reflect on the tough loss, which saw "Shogun" bruised and battered worse than he ever had throughout his nine years of competing in mixed martial arts (MMA).

Henderson landed one "H-Bomb" after another, punches that would have ended many fighters. However, the tough Brazilian showed his heart and endurance, recovering and even almost ending the fight himself an a couple of occasions, only to come up on the short end of the judge's decision.

With the win, Henderson positioned himself as a top contender for the UFC's 205-pound title, which is currently held by Jon Jones. He might challenge "Bones" in 2012; however, he will likely have to wait and see the outcome of the main event of UFC on Fox 2 on Jan. 28, 2012, between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis.

Rua, on the other hand, will now have the tough task of trying to climb to the top of the ladder once again after his loss at UFC 139. Speaking to Tatame.com, the 2005 PRIDE Grand Prix champion says he is already back to training and hopes to have a fight lined up as soon as next week.

Check it out:

"The expectations are good and I'm already training. I hope I get better soon so I can fight for my fans, family and team. Actually, now I'm taking it slow, just training. I don't know when I'm fighting. Next week I might make some deal, but for now I don't know anything about it, so I'm taking it easy. When I know it for sure, I can set a plan and work on it. This is the most disputed weight class, and I don't have an opponent yet because it's too messy right now. I guess Dan Henderson is getting a title shot and I have no idea of who I'm fighting against. I want to get ready for my next fight. I'm sure it'll be a tough guy because there're only tough guys on the division. I'll keep training to fight the best."

Once hailed as the top 205-pound fighter in the world, Rua has gone 3-3 in his last six fights under the Zuffa umbrella, with a short lived title run sandwiched between.

With the UFC's light heavyweight division crowded with plenty of tough challengers, "Shogun" will undoubtedly have his work cut out for him should he ever earn the opportunity to compete for the title again.

Rich Franklin, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Tito Ortiz are a few veterans currently without opponents. In addition, there is a young up-and-comer like Alexander Gustafsson, as well as an upcoming UFC on FUEL TV 2 event in his native Sweden, who is also looking for his next fight ... and a main event.

Hmmm ...

Hoping Shogun comes back strong!

I expect Shogun to face Rampage again as long as he handles Bader.

The total lack of leg kicks from Shogun against Bones, Forrest, and Hendo is one of the most puzzling things I've ever seen

bobbitt15 wrote:

The total lack of leg kicks from Shogun against Bones, Forrest, and Hendo is one of the most puzzling things I've ever seen

Worried about takedowns ?

Ali wrote:

bobbitt15 wrote:

The total lack of leg kicks from Shogun against Bones, Forrest, and Hendo is one of the most puzzling things I've ever seen

Worried about takedowns ?

Against Jones maybe but he was getting taken down easily anyway so what's the difference...him thudding against those stick legs was the only chance he had in that fight

The Hendo fight was easily the most puzzling to me. Henderson isn't taking people down and staying on top at this point in his career. He's a standup fighter, and a flat footed one at that. I couldn't believe Shogun wasn't throwing kicks at will

His knees are shot. It was sad to see how little he was moving against Hendo compared to what he was doing against Machida the first time around but that many surgeries since 2006 will do that.

bobbitt, I totally agree. There should not have been any fear of the takedown against Hendo. When was the last time Hendo took someone down with a leg attack? Most of his takedowns, which are very few at this stage of his career, come from the clinch as he was an excellent Greco wrestler, but never placed at nationals in folkstyle or freestyle. Leg kicks are a must against Hendo and I think Jones will implement them a lot if Hendo gets a title shot, especially since Jones will have little worry of the overhand right counter to his leg kicks, since his limbs are so long.

Ludo wrote:

His knees are shot. It was sad to see how little he was moving against Hendo compared to what he was doing against Machida the first time around but that many surgeries since 2006 will do that.

Probably right. What a shame, really thought he was primed for a 2nd run of terror after those 2 Machida fights

first fight back against Thiago? any thoughts gents

Yeah I think it's because his knees are either shot or he is just too scared to injure them again. Missing that much time because of injury must have fucked him up badly.

killerofchicken wrote:

first fight back against Thiago? any thoughts gents

I'd rather see him fight Lawal, Cavalcante or Mousasi.

freakzilla wrote:

killerofchicken wrote:

first fight back against Thiago? any thoughts gents

I'd rather see him fight Lawal, Cavalcante or Mousasi.

Let's just assume that none of those SF fighters are coming over at the moment and Thiago will be in the UFC. What are your thoughts then?

I'd rather see Thiago get an easier fight after one scrap in 2 years although I think he could beat this current version of Shogun

bobbitt15 wrote:

I'd rather see Thiago get an easier fight after one scrap in 2 years although I think he could beat this current version of Shogun

Thiago doesn't deserve an easy fight, or any fight where he is the betting favorite. He deserves an ass whoopin.

Out of current UFC fighters either Rampage or Forrest.

well, considering that Rampage is fighting Bader and Forrest would get his ass beat in a second... who else you got in mind freak?

Gus, Machida, Phil Davis when he loses to Rashad...those are guys I know would beat Thiago.

Machida already KO'd him in the first. No need for a rematch. Thiago wouldn't stop Forrest if Forrest was motivated and in shape. Forrest could even win.

freakzilla wrote:

Machida already KO'd him in the first. No need for a rematch. Thiago wouldn't stop Forrest if Forrest was motivated and in shape. Forrest could even win.

This is the last thing Thiago Silva deserves. A favorable matchup vs a name fighter. He hasn't earned that. You can't reward the guy after the shit he pulled.

OU wrote:

freakzilla wrote:

Machida already KO'd him in the first. No need for a rematch. Thiago wouldn't stop Forrest if Forrest was motivated and in shape. Forrest could even win.

This is the last thing Thiago Silva deserves. A favorable matchup vs a name fighter. He hasn't earned that. You can't reward the guy after the shit he pulled.

Machida doesn't deserve to be put in the cage with Thiago. You are majorly underrating Forrest. I'd agree with Phil Davis, Rampage or Lawal next.

freakzilla wrote:

OU wrote:

freakzilla wrote:

Machida already KO'd him in the first. No need for a rematch. Thiago wouldn't stop Forrest if Forrest was motivated and in shape. Forrest could even win.

This is the last thing Thiago Silva deserves. A favorable matchup vs a name fighter. He hasn't earned that. You can't reward the guy after the shit he pulled.

Machida doesn't deserve to be put in the cage with Thiago. You are majorly underrating Forrest. I'd agree with Phil Davis, Rampage or Lawal next.

Do you mean he is above that?

dudes. were talking about shogun and who he'll be fighting next... not thiago silva

killerofchicken wrote:

dudes. were talking about shogun and who he'll be fighting next... not thiago silva

This is where the conversation took us. Atleast we aren't talking soccer...

OU wrote:

killerofchicken wrote:

dudes. were talking about shogun and who he'll be fighting next... not thiago silva

This is where the conversation took us. Atleast we aren't talking soccer...

bahaha, jew guys are great