| Fans of mixed martial arts all around the world are in | | | | over Quinton Jackson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, |
| for a big treat on September 22nd. Mauricio "Shogun" | | | | Alistair Overeem and Ricardo Arona; all in a row and |
| Rua has joined the UFC and will be fighting Ultimate | | | | the last two on the same night. It's important to |
| Fighter winner Forrest Griffin in his debut match. | | | | note that Quinton Jackson holds two victories over |
| Shogun was a standout in the Pride organization and | | | | former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell |
| UFC fans can expect big things from him. | | | | and Ricardo Arona had just defeated former Pride |
| Mauricio Rua sports a mixed martial arts record of | | | | middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva. |
| sixteen wins and two losses. Those losses coming at | | | | The UFC will be a new experience for Shogun who |
| the hands of current UFC light heavyweight | | | | will need to learn to use elbows instead of stomps |
| contender Renalto "Babalu" Sobral when Rua was still | | | | and soccer kicks on downed opponents. Rua will also |
| just learning the MMA game and a loss to a much | | | | need to get used to fighting in a cage. Shogun has |
| larger Mark Coleman who slammed Rua and broke his | | | | some cage experience, but the majority of his career |
| arm. Shogun considers his loss to Babalu as his only | | | | has been in the Pride organization where a ring is |
| real loss and says the other was just a freak | | | | used. Assuming that Shogun can adjust to the rule |
| accident. | | | | differences there is no limit to what he can achieve in |
| In the win category, Mauricio Rua has some | | | | the UFC. His fighting style is agressive and fan |
| impressive credentials, including a win over current | | | | pleasing. He fights to win, not to not loose. He always |
| UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson. A | | | | goes for the submission or knock out. This style |
| fight which Shogun dominated and easily won by first | | | | sometimes gets him into trouble, but he always |
| round KO. In fact, if you want to get an idea of | | | | seems to find his way out. If he gets past his first |
| Shogun's real talents, that's a good fight to watch. It | | | | test against Forrest Griffin I expect that he will be |
| displays his aggression, strength and agility. Shogun | | | | offered a title shot against the winner of Quinton |
| starts at the bell and doesn't stop until his opponent | | | | Jackson and Dan Henderson, on September 8th, or |
| has quit or is knocked out. | | | | at least a shot at one of the UFC's top three light |
| Mauricio Rua also has wins over other notable light | | | | heavyweight contenders. |
| heavyweight fighters like Alistair Overeem (actually, 2 | | | | I believe that Mauricio Shogun Rua is just too good |
| wins) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. He also holds a | | | | to be denied a UFC belt for long. He already has a big |
| first round submission victory over former UFC | | | | decisive win over the current belt holder and a |
| champion Kevin Randleman. While these victories are | | | | rematch, if Jackson wins over Hendo, seems |
| all impressive and against top level talent, it is his win | | | | inevitable. One thing though, I don't expect Shogun to |
| over Ricardo Arona which stands out. You see, | | | | hold the belt for long, his wild, reckless style will catch |
| Shogun defeated Ricardo Arona to win the Pride | | | | up to him eventually and he will get caught. He will, |
| Middleweight Grand Prix tournament. In fact, his run | | | | however be at the top of the UFC light heavyweight |
| at the Pride Middleweight Grand Prix is one of the | | | | division for the foreseeable future. |
| most impressive win streaks in all of MMA with wins | | | | |