UFC 128 – Mauricio “Shogun” Rua “True Champion”

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It is widely known across the world of combat sports that a champion is not a true champion until he defends his belt at least once. The time for Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to prove that he is a true champion is now. Rua, the newly crowned UFC light-heavyweight champion, will defend his title for the first time this Saturday March 19th in Newark, New Jersey versus rising superstar Jon “Bones” Jones. Jones is replacing Shogun’s original opponent, Rashad Evans after he was injured during the middle of his preparation for this title fight. If Shogun is a true champion, he will most definitely have to earn it against Jones.

Before Jones even made his professional debut, Shogun was a MMA superstar thanks to his electrifying fights in Japan for the PRIDE FC organization. Shogun brought his aggressive style with him to the UFC in 2007, and after struggling in his debut loss against Forrest Griffin, he rebounded and caught fire with back-to-back knockout wins over a pair of Hall of Famers. Rua recorded a 3rd round TKO over Marc Coleman at UFC 93 and a 1st round TKO over Chuck Liddell at UFC 97 to reappear back in the light-heavyweight division.

Shogun had back-to-back victories to his credit, but he earned even more credit after a controversial loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 104 for the light-heavyweight title. Machida was given the decision victory, but Rua was thought by many to have pulled the upset victory away from him. UFC officials agreed enough to award Rua an immediate rematch at UFC 113. Shogun took advantage and made the most of it by notching the KO victory to solidify his position as the best light-heavyweight in the UFC.

In order to keep the label as the UFC light-heavyweight kingpin, Rua will need to match Jones’ aggressive style and possibly utilize his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. As far as the stand up game is concerned, Rua will have the advantage when it comes to power and finishing skills. Jones’ stand up is adequate, and at times quite impressive, however he isn’t thought of having KO power, and I for one must agree. Shogun, on the other hand, has legitimate KO power in both hands as well as in his kicks. Look for Rua to take advantage of Jones’ long legs and slender frame and paint a target for those strong stinging kicks.

Rua will have to be ready for this fight to hit the canvas as well. Jones may want to take this fight to the ground and try to force his elbows into Rua’s face. If this is the case, Rua will have to find a way to get back to his feet; a good opportunity to use his black belt. Overall, if this fight goes to the ground and Jones gets on top, you would have to think that he has the advantage.

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This fight means a great deal to both fighters. The Light-Heavyweight belt is changing almost in every defense, so for Rua, this is a chance to gain the same type of legitimacy that he had coming in from his PRIDE FC days. A victory of any type would erase any doubts that Rua is only a part-time champion.

Shogun insists that the opponent doesn’t matter all that much, it’s just his time to rule the Light-Heavyweight world of MMA. Nothing would convince people more than a victory over Jon Jones on short notice. Shogun has been in Jones’ place before but now he is trying to add onto his legacy and send Jones back to the drawing board, forcing him to wait some time longer to start his own legacy.

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer