Murilo Ninja Rua vs Tony Bonello Elite XC fight slated for June 14

by James Iannotti on May 3, 2008 4:09 PM EDT

We hinted earlier that Murilo "Ninja" Rua (15-8-1) was rumored to be fighting on the Elite XC event being held in Honolulu, Hawaii, on June 14. It turns out he will indeed be in action that evening, taking on a potential superstar in the making, Tony "The Gun" Bonello (16-0-1).

Talk about a Brazilian jiu-jitsu war!

This card was in need of some excitement after losing the welterweight title fight between Jake Shields and Drew Fickett. And this fight -- despite the relative anonymity of Bonello -- is just the what the doctor ordered.

"The Gun" is perhaps one of the best fighters in the world you've never heard of. He's and Australian-born fighter who submits everything in sight. In fact 14 of his 16 career wins have been first round submissions.

He refers to himself as the "3 x King of the Cage Champion." KingoftheCage.com lists him as the top light heavyweight in their promotion, but claims the title is vacant. Either way, this guy seems to be a stud, and is a very real threat to Ninja.

There's no doubt that Bonello's competition has been no where near the level of Rua's, but I believe he's ready for the challenge.

Ninja was originally slated to fight on the Elite XC network television debut on CBS May 31 against Phil Baroni, but withdrew from the fight because of an injury.

No harm done ... styles make fights and Baroni and Villasenor (Ninja's replacement) will be a slugfest, while Ninja and Bonello will be a technical jiu jitsu war.

Much better match ups.

Rua lost his middleweight title fight against Robbie Lawler in September and then went on to submit Xavier Foupa-Pokam at Cage Rage 24 two and a half months later.

This fight is definitely something to be excited about. Its Bonello's introduction to the world, and a stiff test. Good stuff.

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Comments

First one! WOOOO….Rua By Knockout!!

by DaGrizzlyBear on May 3, 2008 4:30 PM EDT reply actions

. i met bonello last year when he first arrived in usa at a king of the cage show. he is an incredibly humble and respectful guy. he is one of the most likable guys u could meet in the mma world. i really hope he does well in this fight. ive been quinton jacksons sparring partner for several years. as well as a pro mma fighter myself. i cornered quinton for his fight in pride vs vanderlai silva and vs ninja. quinton to this day not only accepts he lost to ninja. but, says ninja was his toughest fight ever in his career. as for bonello vs ninja, not sure if bonello has the experience on his feet to match it with ninja. but, either way, big respect to him for stepping up and taking on a machine like ninja in his 1st fight for proelite. if i had to pick a winner, it would be ninja by ko. but, hopefully not before we get to see bonello skills on the ground 1st.

by brian sesma on May 16, 2008 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think Bonello will have a chance against ninja.
The only reason he wins all his fights is because he only fights C and D level fighters

by Lyoto on May 3, 2008 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

you make bonello sound interesting. might make for an interesting fight. probably really technical but still interesting

by b.w on May 3, 2008 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

Persoanlly I have never heard of Bonello, but I am not one of those fans that discredits a guy just cause I havent heard of him, so this match up sounds interesting to me. I am a big Fan of Ninja. I followed his whole career in Pride. One of my favorite Ninja fights was when he took on former Brazilian Top team Legend, Mario Sperry at PRIDE’s “Armed and Ready”. Thats was as much of an exciting fight as it gets.

Something happened to Ninja. He hasnt been the same fighter he once was, but I still really enjoy his fights and he is still young, so him returning to top form is not out of the Question. This Bonnello guy sounds like he has the credentials needed to deal with Ninja’s High level ju jitsu. However I knew nothing about Bonello’s striking, so that might be the spect of the fight that Ninja might be able to exploit.

DownUnder, or anyone else that has actually seen Bonello fight…..How is his striking?

by john on May 4, 2008 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

yo john

bonello has a couple videos of some fights up on his myspace page…you’re right, his stand up does look a little questionable as well as his stamina…still though, if he’s the champ in three different weight classes like he says and like the picture on his website shows, then he has to be somewhat formidable in those areas…we’ll see i guess, but i think you’re right, ninja will have the advantage in the stand up and will probably try to keep the fight there…

by tha spida on May 4, 2008 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions

sPIDA: THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP ON HIS FIGHT VIDEOS!

by john on May 5, 2008 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I hear there is some controversy around this guy Bonello, fighting hand picked opponents with sub 500 records or no fights at all, and apparantly some worked fights on his pro record, but it will be good to finally see his skill level.

by B.T. on May 3, 2008 6:03 PM EDT reply actions

Bonello by Ninja getting injured prior to fight. I’ll believe it when I see the fight happening live.

by Greg on May 3, 2008 6:07 PM EDT reply actions

He was injured and withdrew for the Baroni fight, but now will be ok to fight 2 weeks later? What injury serious enough to withdraw several weeks before a fight only needs 2 weeks to heal? He knows he can’t fight May 31, but knows he will be able to June 14? Or maybe it was a mistake and this event takes place on July 14th…

by theCloser on May 3, 2008 6:22 PM EDT reply actions

Correct B.T

Bonello also fought John Wayne Parr in a MMA bout, so i think it goes beyond hand picked, “freak show” comes to mind. Will be interesting if this actually happens though cause the guy does have skills.

by Fenrsz on May 3, 2008 8:59 PM EDT reply actions

This is so exciting. I have been waiting for The Gun to take on a world wide name. This guy can fight, and is put together, physically and well rounded. I can not wait.

by DownUnder on May 3, 2008 9:46 PM EDT reply actions

I wonder Ninja still will fight Baroni after this bout.

by jerkoff on May 4, 2008 5:42 PM EDT reply actions

haha we will see hey i know bonello and his very good been training with rampage for a long time now. boxing learnt from roberto duran and trained with ernest hoost and bjj was speery i think not sure and his stand up is awsome and his ground is awsome say what yas want bout him but ill say will or hope its a good fight bonello for the win SUB

by asdas on May 14, 2008 6:03 AM EDT reply actions