Chuck Liddell vs. Shogun Rua

diemos · 02-01-2008

Chuck Liddell vs Shogun Rua Confirmed in June... UFC 85?

Quote:

In a recent interview with SportsIllustrated.com the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell, indicated that his next opponent could be former Pride FC standout, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

Chuck Liddell:

“Possibly Mauricia “Shogun” Rua. That’s what they’re saying. If it’s the June fight, it will probably be in London. But my trainer is trying to get it moved to Vegas.”

Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua is looking forward to avenging the loss of his good friend Wanderlei Silva, according to Tatame.com the fight is happening sometime in June.

Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua (roughly translated):

“I confirmed that fight yesterday. Everything is agreed for June and I hope to make this a huge fight and represent my good team … For sure I’m going to avenge Wanderlei … he passed by Curitiba for a short time and then left to his city, but we got to get together and talk. We are going to make an exchange, but i don’t know when thats going to happen. Everything depends on the strategy my team has for this fight…. [Chuck] has a very good boxing and wrestling team. Liddell’s game is more standing, but it can be an error trying to take him down because it requires a lot of strength. I am going to try to improve my tactics with Alejo Morales, my brother and the rest of the team, but I can exchange with him and finish this fight standing.”

source: UFC News, Results, Rumors, Interviews, Videos & more :: UFCscene.com » Archive » Chuck Liddell and Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua will battle it out in June

Jamie · 02-01-2008

Really surpised they've given Chuck a fight with Shogun, he's coming off a loss to Forrest Griffen so it's a big surprise

Hopefully we see the best of Shogun in this match up not gassing and displays his Muay Thai skills, leg kicks etc. I want Shogun to win but Liddell is a pretty bad match up for him imo, I think it's going to go a lot like Wanderlei Vs Liddell. Looking forward to it.

way26 · 02-01-2008

This is a tough matchup for Shogun IMO. But if he can get past having too much respect for Chuck's KO power and really push the pace of the fight, I think he can win.

Shogun's chin is solid so I think Chuck will have a hard time putting him away. And like Jamie said, if he can really utilize his Muay Thai, I can definately see the fight going his way.

This could be a really great fight so long as Shogun's gas tank is full.

MATT E · 02-02-2008

I was really surprised they put this match up together, for two reasons, one if Shogun does happen to lose(while he performs well) he still becomes 0-2 in the ufc and ability to be marketed against top competition wont be so easy. And second, if Chuck loses, i think with out a dought it will be the end of his career, if he gets knocked back down the ladder again he wont come back up.

But I agree with both you above, while Shogun does have to respect Chucks power, he still needs to come at him with his relentless attack. He needs to throw leg and body kick and close distant and do good work in the clinch. He he stays on the outside of reach theres a good chance he will lose the fight.

recently.reaped · 02-06-2008

could be a bad matchup for Shogun. He can't take chuck down and keep him there as only Randy has ever been able to do that and it was once in 3 fights.
Chuck has better stand up and it looks like he may be concentrating on doing more than just punches if his fight with Wand is any indication.
I think it's great because it's a matchup many MMA fans want to see.
If Chuck loses the UFC has a new young gun at 205 who ran over Rampage.
If Shogun loses the face of the UFC is back to old form and will rematch Rampage down the road in probably the biggest UFC PPV ever.
either one works for me.