Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua will beat Chuck Liddell at UFC 97 if he passes the gas test
by MMAmania.com on Mar 30, 2009 9:30 AM EDT
91 comments
Props: Sherdog.com
Quoteworthy:
"... I told him: Liddell is not Coleman. He is an aggressive guy, has heavy hands and does not give up. If he hits you on the chin, probably a KO. Shogun has a very aggressive style and has to be in very good shape, with much cardio, because he doesn’t stop. He goes with punches, kicks, knees and takedowns. With him there’s no asking to stop. So he has to give good attention to the cardio because his style requires much cardio. He is a very talented guy, but age comes for everyone, including him. Then with time he will realize that nowadays we … must have a higher preparation. The guys are always getting better here. Shogun is a guy who can win the belt soon. He is in the front of the line. I believe in him. I think he’ll have a great performance against Liddell. I would not be surprised if he knocks him out or submits him. If he gets a takedown, I think it ends in the second round by submission."
Wanderlei Silva has faith that his former Chute Box training partner and good friend, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, will finish former light heavyweight champion, Chuck Liddell, when the pair collide at UFC 97: "Redemption" from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on April 18. Shogun has battled injuries, as well as serious fatigue, in his two performances inside the Octagon since coming over from Pride FC to much fan fare in late 2007. He has certainly not lived up to the hype as the best 205-pound fighter in the world, losing to Forrest Griffin via submission in his debut and having trouble putting away what should have been a very overmatched Mark Coleman earlier this year. Rua needs to prove that he can hang with the big cats in the UFC. And an impressive win over "Iceman" would do just that.
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I hope Wanderlei right – I really want to see Shogun win this one, and chase the belt down.
by DownUnder on Mar 30, 2009 9:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Id be satified with a professional performance..
He was so out of shape against coleman it was difficult to judge where he is at right now.
I think this is a must win fight for Rua, that said Im rooting for the Ice man, Id love to see him back on form and in the hunt again…..he still has some fights left
by Confused on Mar 30, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that the Rashad fight proved a LOT about Chuck (and Rampage for that matter). The top fighters at 205 are just too quick for him. He has slowed down a little bit with age, and being a counter puncher, once you slow down – you are finished.
Shogun on the other hand has age on his side, but his cardio has looked worse than Ross Clifton’s. The Shogun that fought in PRIDE is still MIA (missing in action). If the Shogun of old were to suddenly re-appear, the 205 lb division would be even more exciting than it is currently (which is hard to believe). However, if the same Shogun that we’ve seen in the UFC shows up, for all I care, they can release him and have him fight in Japan against some can’s and use roids again or something to try and get him back to the Shogun of old. Watchin a Shogun fight from 4 years ago compared to watching either of his last 2 fights, you would NEVER think it was the same fighter.
by ViolentMike on Mar 30, 2009 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair Rua is one of the Pride fighters (there are others) who mysteriously lost form/ability when they arived in the UFC. its all speculation ofcourse
Maybe the UFC is just provides harder compitition and pride was held up on an undeserved pedestal.
Who knows but how often do you hear….“If they fight the way they did in pride…”
by Confused on Mar 30, 2009 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
@ViolentMike
RE chuck – you make a great point, for me Chuck will allways be one of my favourite fighters so Im kind of biased
by Confused on Mar 30, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair Rua is one of the Pride fighters (there are others) who mysteriously lost form/ability when they arived in the UFC. its all speculation ofcourse
i could see if you said size(maybe his acl had to do with his form/ability), but i still would not post that without fact.
by shogun on Mar 30, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really think that fighters that came from Pride have a harder time adjusting to the cage. The cage is much bigger than the ring, and I think they spend more time going back and forth and therefore spending more energy as a result. All this roid speculation is non-sense, I think the arena being different is a much more reasonable speculation than just saying someone was on roids.
by h10 on Mar 30, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I literally LOL’d when I saw the screenname of the person arguing that Shogun wasn’t on some type of steroid. To put it point blank, in Japan, THEY DO NOT TEST FOR DRUGS! To be honest, if steroids helps you that much in the fight game, then you would be a complete fool not to use them when they are legal and beneficial.
Also, its not like there are just a bunch of fans saying this. It comes from MULTIPLE fighters that have fought in PRIDE. You act like I am some kind of PRIDE-basher, but, whenever it comes down to it, I am one of the few that still defends PRIDE. I have yet to miss a DREAM, WVR or K-1 since HDnet started airing them!!! (I like Dream way more than WVR)
by ViolentMike on Mar 30, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus, since coming to the USA where the drug test, Shogun has not beem able to stay healthy for more than 3 months. When he was in Japan, he did not get injured that often. Coincidence???
I am not one to typically claim roids, but I sincerely believe that Shogun along with a good portion of the ol Chute Box team were juicing in some way.
by ViolentMike on Mar 30, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had emailed this to a couple of friends after looking it up at a party this past weekend to play for some people.
-————————————————————————
Here are the only available clips on youtube for my girl Lenne Hardt. She is the CRAZY ring anouncer for PRIDE and now for DREAM and also K-1 and World Victory Road Sengoku and every fighting in Japan basically. OH YEAH, you do get HDnet! Have you been watching the K-1? Or the DREAM events? How about WVR:Sengoku??
Here she is announcing Fedor. However, its very quiet for some reason. (with love LOL)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLDPFzw0Xu4
and to finally declare who is the better announcer…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyYK7UP3sf4
Also, that must have been big Dan Miraggoliata’s first fight in the UFC for him to butcher his name like that.
by ViolentMike on Mar 30, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Look in all honesty I dont believe Rua was juicing while he was at pride, I was just thinking out loud.
I truly think that most of the pride guy’s were overrated because pride produced in some peoples opinions the more exciting fights.
Remember though to make an exciting fight you only need two evenly matched fighters, they dont need to be great or the best they just have to be at the same level.
Rua IMO stlii has to prove himself
by Confused on Mar 30, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so not being tested for roids=using roids? where I work they don’t test for drugs, does that mean I smoke a blunt then? As for fighters ‘saying the same thing’, name ONE fighter (other than Rampage) that have come on record saying other fighters use roids? As much as I love rampage, he’s not a good source to use.
by h10 on Mar 30, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
h10…
Give me a break, the writting is on the wall. Do you really need another figher to come out and say it??
by UFC Champ on Mar 30, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok, so everyone that was in Pride used drugs, except for page?
by h10 on Mar 30, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, not every figher, but its becoming apparent more and more which ones did.
by UFC Champ on Mar 30, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i know, rampage was a huge roid head.now he has moved to hgh.
by shogun on Mar 30, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shogun, STFU! I actually came on this site to stick up for you, since yo have been getting your ass handed to you in this debate, but now…F u too! U dont like people making unproven accusations about your favoritre fighter, but then u go an accuse, a fighter who has never failed a drug test (Page), of using roids… F off!
For the record, I cant stand bashing fighters about Roids…we will never know, so why tarnish everyone’s name? U wanna acuse my boy Shogun VM, then F your boy Hendo! If anyone looks like they were using roids in Pride, it was Henderson…u was tough as they come, mean and aggressive…now Im going to call a spade a spade…he fights like a tentative lil Bitch since joining the UFC…but Shogun gets accused and not Hendo? We could make this remark about every single fighter that has ever fought in Japan…hell for that matter, we can say that every professional athlete on the planet is on roids…considering there are not tests to detect HGH!
How about we leave the steroid comments alone in general! When a fighter tests positive, then I will all join you, and Bash the crap out of him….until a fighter tests positive, lets not smear anyone’s name!
by john on Mar 30, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
all you fockers are getting on my damn nerves today!
When a fighter tests positive….then crucify him. Until then, stop tarnishing fighters names and reputations
by john on Mar 30, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
John,
Sounds like you have some roid rage! :)
by UFC Champ on Mar 30, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
john f u 2, i am sure you did not get my point, i like rampage but for some reason everyone claims all pride fighters where on roids except rampage? i was just seeing what they would say.and i don’t see anyone here handing me my ass.
by shogun on Mar 31, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could care less here. I think Shogun was way overhyped. Infact, besides Rampage, I think all these Pride guys have been a huge letdown… Chuck by KO!!!
by getrawbc on Mar 30, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dan Henderson has been fine, who has been a huge letdown besides Cro Cop?
by roy on Mar 30, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anderson is not really a Pride guy. He had just as many fights in Cage Rage and his last 4 fights before coming to the UFC were in Cage Rage.
by BNF on Mar 30, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It comes from MULTIPLE fighters that have fought in PRIDE
witch fighters claimed shogun was on roids? so rampage was a huge roid head in pride than?
Shogun has not beem able to stay healthy for more than 3 months. When he was in Japan, he did not get injured that often. Coincidence???
his acl injury is the only inj i have heard of him having so what are you talking about?he broke his arm in pride i would say the injuries are about even.
no proof, why bring it up.
by shogun on Mar 30, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was a Pride guy, Pride put him in the MMA spotlight. it’s not a matter of the number of times he fought in an organization. most fighters in the UFC now days spent a larger portion of their careers in smaller promotions but we still consider them UFC fighters.
by The_Cannibal on Mar 30, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is a convenient argument. I consider Pride guys as the ones made their careers in Pride and only came to the UFC because the they bought Pride like, Hendo, Wandi, Nog, Cro Cop, ect… Anderson left before that ever happened and signed with the UFC before all those guys. He has had more fights in the UFC and has become a star in the UFC. Maybe he is a UFC guy now…
by BNF on Mar 30, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BNF: Even though Anderson was the Cage Rage Champ for X amount of years.. he came to the UFC from Pride.. not from Cage Rage.. he made his Debut against Chris Leben as a former Pride fighter.
by PhilQNY on Mar 30, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Phil, go look up Anderson’s record. His last fight in Pride was in 2004 he had Cage Rage fights in 2005 and 2006. He came to the UFC from Cage Rage. Geez…
by BNF on Mar 30, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but AS made his name in Pride, not in Cage Rage.
by h10 on Mar 30, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
THANK YOU. well said some of the pride guys just sold PPV’s and got an @ss kickin’. i just hope they don’t bring in any heavyweights to the UFC. Now lightweights would bring big PPV’s in the ufc. if only JZ or Hellboy, maybe Alverez,
by mikeybear on Mar 30, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man, you should have heard the tongue lashing I received on here when I said Shogun was overrated last year. Actually, I said “we may find that Shogun is overrated.” I received some apologies after the Griffin fight and more after Coleman, but people are clinging to hope once again.
I don’t think it comes down to Shogun’s gas. Certainly if he doesn’t come in shape, he’s done, but even if he does……Chuck isn’t susceptible to so many of Shogun’s weapons. Shogun’s only chance is that Chuck shows up older and fatter than ever.
by Punch You in the Ovaries on Mar 30, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is no one clinging to hope more than John. Shogun will not see the end of the second round. His last two performaces were a joke. John did mention that he hasn’t really fought jits guys(Babalu?), but if the wrestlers couldn’t take him down, there is no way a gassed after the 1st round Shogun is going to take him down to apply any.Jardines gameplan was solid, Rampage and Evans connected first, sh@t happens. I do not see any of this happening for Shogun.
by Ade on Mar 30, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Shogun doesn’t have the sense to come into this fight in shape he needs to go. He has done nothing but suck a@# since showing up in the UFC. Its completely unprofessional and I have very little patience for it. He needs to have a great performance here- period.
by DSmith on Mar 30, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
don’t see rua winning.
the rua brothers are on a slump!
i don’t see shogun winning in the ufc against a top 10 contender. this isn’t japan and he looked like sh!t vs coleman
by mikeybear on Mar 30, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got that video this weekend Mike, thanks. you make good points, and I also laughed that a screen name “shogun” was defending shogun. I think there are a few variables on the pride guys having trouble in the UFC. Soccer kicks to a downed opponent and stomps. Shogun and wand used those techniques often, and those two kicks can end a fight quickly. While it’s all speculation, steroids definitely seems to have played a part in this too. Size, strength and the ability to recover from injuries (inability in this case) are all signs that point to steroid use!
by kevin on Mar 30, 2009 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
kevin you are a idiot, please explain to me about steroids since you think you know about them, how would they help him heel from a acl tear?and please tell me how many fights wandy and shogun won by soccer kick?
by shogun on Mar 30, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yes but watch the video, my point is people don’t lose by soccer kicks it might end the fight but he could hace used anything by than to end it, the fight was won by knees to the face.soccer kicks are not as important as people try to make them out to be, something already went wrong if your in postion or not able to defend a soccer kick.
by shogun on Mar 30, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shogun’s aggressiveness will fall right into Chuck’s right hand. He will be stopped in the first round, or lose a decision.
by Synyster on Mar 30, 2009 9:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think you are right on, Tito was supposed to overwhelm, Couture, and even though I am a huge Wand fan, Chuck held him at bay, with a bit of help from Wand not attacking like the old Wand did.
Chuck catches this guy, 2nd round. Run Shogun around, he’ll tucker out, and bam, lights out.
by The Slovak on Mar 30, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no knockouts in 2 years…not good for Chuck…
by Robert(1) on Mar 30, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That’s not true, he got a knockout in the Evans fight
by Jas on Mar 30, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tough one to call, but I give a slight edge to Shogun. I’m not convinced that we’ll see an elite-level performance out of Shogun. I just think Chuck’s style doesn’t fit well with his advancing age and once again will be exposed. Chuck relies on reflexes and explosiveness, and those attributes are the first to diminish with age. No disrespect intended, as Chuck is a legend, but I just don’t see one last push for the belt for Chuck even if he gets by Shogun.
by CL on Mar 30, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Liddell is just working for a paycheck now, he’s washed up. He shoulda went out with class.
by TJ on Mar 30, 2009 9:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Shogun has done nothing but disappoint since his start with the UFC. His fighting style has been extremely sluggish and I can’t believe they gave him a co-main-event fight. To me both fighters have nothing to gain by defeating each other they both suck!!!
by PACO on Mar 30, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
‘He is in front of the line’.Eh,I dont think so.Even with a win over chuck,he still needs at least 2 or 3more win to even consider gettin a title shot.front of the line my bollox!
by bons on Mar 30, 2009 10:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
w/e, if forrest can get ko’d then win one fight and go straight to a title then so can Rua
by O damn he got caught on Mar 30, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In Forrest’s defense, he won 2 in a row. 72 vs Hector Ramirez, then 76 vs Shogun
by Synyster on Mar 30, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
synyster: please dont bring up the sick dog fight as an attempt to justify that silver spoon ass fighter, Forrest griffin, getting an unwarrented title shot!
by john on Mar 30, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If memory serves me correctly, he couldn’t even finish Sick Dog.
by ViolentMike on Mar 30, 2009 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
James Irvin would have had the title shot if he had fought Shogun right after he beat Sick dog.. Shogun was horrible, Rampage would have sent his head out of the arena with a hook that night..
by RoB on Mar 30, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
whoever fought Shogun that night would have walked away with a win! it’s that simple, and then Dana and his boys jumps all over trying to say that Forrest beat the nr.1 LHW in the world, well Shogun was barely top 30 that night..
by RoB on Mar 30, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn’t trying to justify anything. I responded to the post that said he had one win then a title shot, when in fact, he had 2 wins. No way am I saying that a win over Sick Dog warranted a title shot. Don’t make me look like an ass guys. lol.
by Synyster on Mar 30, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If the shogun griffin figth went to a decision it coulda gone either way
by phenomenal angel on Mar 30, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, it couldn’t have. Shogun was on his way to a ud loss, but it didn’t matter because he was subbed anyway. If Shogun looks like he did against Coleman, Chuck sends Shogun away on a stretcher.
by naturalshadow on Mar 30, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hope the iceman comes back with a bang and beats the livin crap out of shogun. shogun so far has been nothing short of a load of horse crap. hes been made look like an amateur in the octagon. i dont care what hes done in pride . hes done sweet feck all in the UFC and never will if continues performing like that.
by Stonec0ld on Mar 30, 2009 10:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wanderlei couldn’t beat Chuck… no chance in hell that Shogun wins this.
If Coleman would’ve had atleast some gas Shogun would’ve get a beating, instead he won one of the worst fights ever.
Chuck by KO.
by JonnyBoy on Mar 30, 2009 10:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
? i like wandy but shogun is better than him.
by roy on Mar 30, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So what you’re saying is if that Wanderlei was going to fight Coleman he would do worse than Shogun? for real?
by JonnyBoy on Mar 30, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no, its just a simple fact, wandy has said it himself.there was a time when wandy was better but he saw that shogun had gotten better and they trained together so i think he would know best.
by roy on Mar 30, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe it’s my weird sense of humor, but anytime pass and gas are in the same sentence it make me laugh (and no..I’m not 5 years old). That said, The Ice Man will work Shogun over like he did that piece of meat. Chuck by 2nd round TKO…maybe 1st round.
by BeerMan on Mar 30, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I laughed too, passing gas makes for a good chuckle no matter what age.
For a second, I thought I had a good chance at beating Chuck since I’m well experienced.
by UFC Champ on Mar 30, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This fight will be really interesting if Shogun is in shape. Chuck says he’s tightened things up and improved his hands working with ATT. Chuck with improved hands working against a super aggressive guy with poor cardio doesn’t sound like a great fight, but if Shogun’s cardio is there it could be fireworks. I don’t know about the takedown and submission on Shogun’s part. Can anybody really hold Chuck down? He’s about the most difficult guy to takedown and if you get him there, he just stands up.
by Sacto on Mar 30, 2009 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree sacto, its a big if that shogun keeps chuck on the ground and if chuck has tightened up his stand up then he is still for sure a threat in the division!!
After all he was winning the evans fight, with a tight defence he doesnt get ko’d like that!
Chuck ko in the 2nd!
by mo on Mar 30, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If Chuck has really worked on his hands like their talking about, he could still be a force at 205 even though he is a little past his prime. This is a tough fight to call because the jury is still out on Shogun. He has looked like shit in every UFC fight, but who knows, he might surprise us and actually show up in shape. Then this could be an exciting fight. If he shows up with the same gas tank as he had against Coleman, the Chuck will beat the hell out of him with improved hands or not.
by brac on Mar 30, 2009 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
for over a year now i hear about this “awesome fighter” slacky performance – getting submitted by Forrest.. and always ye the cardio the cardio.. u telling me that pride didnt need cardio? what if shogun isnt a good fighter anymore! or his competition is too much! u know what, give him cardio toget beat up for 3 full rounds. >OVERRATED<
by MMA040 on Mar 30, 2009 11:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
with out cardio you can’t do much, and he had no acl in the griffin fight hard to train and with coleman coming off back to back acl reconstructions and a long time off, well see how he does in this one.
by roy on Mar 30, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No quit in him? What do you call the end of the Forrest fight? I dont see Shogun submitting Chuck but I can def. see him winning. I’m excited because this is a fight I have been wanting to see for a long time.
by bassy on Mar 30, 2009 11:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ve been waiting to see this too, waiting to see Chuck knock Shogun all the way back to Japan.
Instead of drinking he’ll be injecting his sorrows away! LOL!
I’m personally sick of seeing everyone saying Chuck is passed his prime. What about Shogun, maybe he’s passed his? Age doesn’t necessarily dictate a fighters expiration date, their performance inside the octagon does, win or lose.
by UFC Champ on Mar 30, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
First I have to say that I’m a die-hard Liddell fan, so I’m a bit biased, but here’s my opinion:
- Liddell has only ever been submitted once, and that was back in 1999, so I think we can rule our Rua submitting him.
- All this talk about Liddell being ‘past his prime’, you guys were probably saying that about couture before his comeback. I’m not saying Liddell will be able to comeback, but I think many fans are too quick to write someone off. I sure hope he comes back, and I do think its very possible.
- MMA has changed (in ways better left to discuss in another post), which is partially why Liddell has run into difficulties, he will adapt! I think he has learned and will be an even better fighter for it.
- Despite the recent difficulties, he still has a good chin, amazing standup, legendary takedown defense and a great ‘scramble’ (to get up if taken down).
- For those he say he’s past his prime and should have left with dignity… I say dignity doesn’t factor into it, he’s a class act, a champion, and a legend in this sport, nothing can take that away; Liddell still has plenty of fight left in him, some of you may be eating your words later.
- My prediction is a classic Liddell KO or TKO late in he second round. (I don’t think Rua will have gotten over his ‘gassing’ problem, and Liddell just kicks ass!)
- Peace!
by JS on Mar 30, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well said, I feel the same way about Liddel and other good long term fighters that have proven themselves over and over again.
We can all mention Ken Shamrock for going out of this in a blaze of glory and smearing anything good he’s ever done with his stupid choices in recent years. Chuck, Randy, and even Wandi are all class acts.
by UFC Champ on Mar 30, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Liddell by TKO.
Shogun is overrated while Liddell is underrated (at the moment)
I will put my money on Chuck.
by Lester the Pimp on Mar 30, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Liddell will swing for the fence. If he miss and Rua is able to take the fight to the ground, Rua win.
But Liddell only need one punch.
by Daddy Lupo on Mar 30, 2009 12:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If shogun is in shape(I doubt it) then Liddell by UD. If he isnt, the Liddell by ko late in 2nd or 3rd.
by Big Ox on Mar 30, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
theres no way to call this fight….if shogun comes in with a little better tank then last he is more well rounded striking…but if he comes like he did with coleman one shot can end his night…shoguns my fav fighter and im always for him but its just to close its a toss up n i hate chuck
by buck on Mar 30, 2009 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I have to disagree that Shogun is more well rounded at striking. Chuck has great hands and kicks, just because he chooses not to use them ALL the time doesn’t mean Shogun is better. The only striking aspect that Shogun is better at is knees in the clinch based on history….
If Shogun is better at Chuck than anything it is BJJ which doesn’t really matter unless Shogun can take Chuck down and make him stay there and submit him which hasn’t happened since 1999 I think
by Chadx23 on Mar 30, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
War Shogun!!! But if Shogun does come with out cardio he could get his first ko… I still love it how Jardine beat the ice… Both guys are good fighters however Shogun does have a more all around game… Best of luck to both fighters but my money is on Shogun…..
WAR SHOGUN!!!!!!
by N1SHOGUNFAN on Mar 30, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i don’t think nethier one of these fighters can afford to lose this fight as their most recent past performances have been sub par to say the least. The loser of this fight will become a stepping stone for the future fighters if they continue fighting. By their latest fights I would have to go with Chuck in this one. The old Rua is not going to come out in one fight he may have improved from his last fight but I don’t see him improving enough to beat Chuck especially if chuck has improved?
by Puck Head on Mar 30, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone talks about Shogun making an improvement (possibly). But I think everyone forgets that Chuck is just as capable of making improvements in his game too – its a two way street.
Do you think Chuck is going to camp thinking “I’m not the champ anymore, but I’ll keep training in the exact same way and one day I’ll get that title back.” I highly doubt it, we already know he went to improve his skills at ATT. The question is, what else has he done that we don’t know about?
by UFC Champ on Mar 30, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if shogun doesnt come out with good cardio, im thinking his pride days were full of roids.
by COR on Mar 30, 2009 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The steroids comments on Shogun are so unfair. More then likely he “lost form” when coming to the UFC b/c he had MAJOR injuries occur right b4 he came, and because of the rule adaptations (he hadn’t hardly any cage or US experience). He lost to a top 5 205er in Forrest in a good, competitive fight and beat Coleman. He gassed in both so that is the main criticism and that is fair b/c he does need to be in better condition to beat the top guys in the UFC 205… but to be fair also… Forrest is a cardio machine and they fought a high paced fight… and the coleman fight was a lot of grappling and defending takedowns and trying to get back up from a heavy, top wrestler almost constantly.
Anyways, Shogun needs to improve… sure. It’s only his 3rd UFC fight and by my judgement of his character he will. But the whole steroids thing just based off made up speculation from a keyboard warrior b/c Pride didn’t have as good of steroid testing policy is unfair. That’s like suggesting everybody that writes here is a pothead b/c they’re wasting time on the internet and there is no proof of a passed drug test. Really, … who knows … gees.
WAR SHOGUN!!
by The Prodi-G$ on Mar 30, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Didn’t Chuck pop something in his leg too? Nobody is saying that’s why he lost his fights, everyone just “assumes” he’s past his prime.
If all the Shogun fans want to believe that the injury has caused his last 2, count them, 2 performances to be sub-standard, then you go right ahead. We’ll all find out in 3 weeks anyway.
by UFC Champ on Mar 30, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can definitely see Liddell getting the KO on Shogun. I’m inclined to believe that maybe the knee is what’s holding Shogun back, if it’s too fucked up to train properly with, then you’re not going to be able perform upto your capabilities. It’s also not too much of a stretch to think that the change in environment and rules might have a bit to do with it as well. Shogun has the ability to pull it together, it’s just a question of when does he pull it together?
Liddell is close to 40 but he can still get the job done and he’s recognizing that he needs to start broadening his game. I’d like to see him start to incorporate some of his offensive wrestling skills, he was a good D1 wrestler. If he would’ve used them in his fights with jardine or evans he would’ve surprised everyone as the takedowns were wide open in those fights because no one expected them. It’s great to see him training in other places to round out.
You never know but my prediction is a KO by Liddell
by Back from Iraq on Apr 6, 2009 7:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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