In 2007, toward the dissolution of the Japanese-based Pride FC organization, Mauricio Rua was considered (arguably) the top 205-pound fighter in the world.

This was even during the time that Chuck Liddell was executing his reign of terror on the UFC light heavyweight division to the tune of four title defenses, while simultaneously piggybacking the sport of mixed martial arts and dragging it closer to the mainstream.

Since that time Rua has experienced a mixture of ups and downs to say the least.

He suffered through a disappointing loss in his much anticipated UFC debut to Forrest Griffin back at UFC 76 in September 2007, two separate knee surgeries, and countless months of rehabilitation.

Once healthy enough to compete again he took a fight in January 2009 at UFC 93. A rehabbed, but out of shape Rua defeated Mark Coleman in what was the epitome of a lackluster performance.

At UFC 97 in April 2009, a better conditioned Rua showed flashes of his old self when he knocked out another UFC Hall-of-Famer, the aforementioned Chuck Liddell, to earn number one contender-ship status.

The reward for attaining this position is a title match with the current champion Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida, whom no man has been able to figure out, much less defeat throughout his 15 career professional fights (seven of which are in the UFC).

UFC 104 on Oct. 24 marks yet another milestone in the evolution of the much publicized UFC light heavyweight division -- a battle between a former world number one (Rua) and the current world number (Machida).

Will Rua be able crack Machida’s code and shock the world in the process? We will find out in a matter of days.

In the meantime, "Shogun" took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss his recent training, the unique challenge of Machida, Brazilian MMA, and what being a UFC champion would mean to him.

Check it out:

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Where has your training camp been taking place at and who are some of the training partners and coaches who have helped prepare you for Lyoto Machida at UFC 104?

Mauricio Rua: My training camp for this fight was done in Curitiba (Brazil), my hometown at the UDL academy. I'm working with a team of people that know me very well and most importantly know my game very well; my brother Murilo "Ninja" Rua, Andre "Dida" for the Muay Thai, Joao Raphael "Simpson" and Rodrigo "Pimpolho" for Jiu-Jitsu, Marcelo Barreto as the coordinator, Andre Neumann with the strength and conditioning, sparring partners like Joao Paulo "Tuba," my manager Eduardo Alonso, and many others.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Are you completely healthy at this point and have you corrected your cardio issue that plagued you in your recent fights?

Mauricio Rua: I'm completely healthy and feeling ready for the fight. We did all we felt was needed and I expect to come to the fight in great condition.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Should we expect to see the very best Mauricio Rua we have ever seen on the night of UFC 104?

Mauricio Rua: I feel obligated as a fighter to do my best when I fight, to give my best effort. This is what I demand from myself and what I'll do as always at UFC 104. A fight is a fight and many things can happen. Lyoto Machida is a great fighter and we respect him a lot, but I'm going to do my best and I'm sure it's going to be a great fight.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Is this the first time you have been the underdog in a fight?

Mauricio Rua: No, not at all. During most of my career I was always used to be the underdog. I was the underdog for my last fight with Chuck Liddell. I was the underdog in Pride when I fought Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and I was the underdog on the whole Pride GP in 2005, so it's nothing new.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you mind being the underdog?

Mauricio Rua: No! Much on the contrary. I even like being the underdog. This way I feel I have much less pressure and it's the other guy's obligation to beat me. I feel like I have only the obligation to do my best and I have much more to gain than I have to lose.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Machida is a puzzle that nobody has been able to figure out so far. What is it that makes him so unique?

Mauricio Rua: I think what makes him so unique is his background, karate, and how he adapted it to his own MMA fighting style. When you fight other fighters they usually have a background of boxing or kickboxing, striking-wise, so it's something you are used to dealing with, as you have been training with those kind of fighters through your whole life so you know their distance, timing, etc. Against Lyoto it is usually something you never dealt with, or at least not so often, and until you figure his style out sometimes it's too late.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Have you watched tape on Machida’s fights and found a weakness or a specific way to attack him?

Mauricio Rua: My team and I watched a lot of tapes and did our homework. Machida is a great fighter but every fighter has weak points and strong points as there are no perfect fighters. Like I said, a fight is a fight and many things can happen, so we will see by fight time if our beliefs are right.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you feel confident you can beat him if you stand with him toe-to-toe the entire time?

Mauricio Rua: I always come to a fight feeling confident in my skills and projecting ways to win. If it's going to be standing up, on the ground, etc. -- only the fight can tell. Many things can happen in a fight and the important thing is to win and be prepared for any situation that can take place.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you feel like you have an advantage in the submission game on the ground?

Mauricio Rua: Lyoto Machida is a complete fighter, very good standing up, and very good on the ground. I think we are both well-rounded and we both can present challenges for each other on all areas depending on who's on a better night or execute the better strategy.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Will this fight go the entire five rounds?

Mauricio Rua: I don't know! (laughs) I think we both fight to finish the fight so it's very likely that it can end up before the five rounds.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you have an official prediction for the fight?

Mauricio Rua: I never do predictions for a fight. I only want to go in there and do my best. I feel always obligated to put my best effort to give the fans what they want to see, and exciting fight. I want to win, and I fight to win, but I welcome any type of winning situation.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What would becoming a UFC champion mean to you?

Mauricio Rua: It would mean a lot. It's what we work for, what we train for, and the ultimate goal any fighter can have right now. The UFC is the biggest fighting promotion in the world, has the best fighters and I think the 205-pound weight class is likely the toughest class in the game, so to become the champion in the biggest show and on the toughest weight class means the world.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): If you are fortunate enough to come away with the belt are there any other guys who you would like to fight in the future?

Mauricio Rua: I don't really think about that. First and foremost I have to focus on Machida. He is the champion and my next opponent so I have to think about him and how to beat him. Only after this fight I'll think about my next step and talk to my manager and trainers about that. Also, I feel it's up to the UFC to seek the best matchups and give the fans what they want.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Would you like it if the UFC held an event in Brazil in the near future and is this something that Brazilians would like to see very soon?

Mauricio Rua: Of course, I would love for the UFC to hold a show in Brazil. The sport is growing so much and the UFC has been doing a great job to help its growth. They are doing a lot of PR in Brazil and step by step we can see the improvements here. MMA is getting more and more known by people in Brazil and the hardcore fans would love to see a UFC show down here. Now it's a matter of getting more people involved into the sport so it becomes viable for the UFC to come, and I think it's only a matter of time.

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Is there anything you would like to pass along to your fans out there or any sponsors you would like to thank?

Mauricio Rua: I would like to thank my fans for all the support through the hard times. Their the biggest reason for us to go and train every day and we have to always thank them. Also, I would like to thank my sponsors Bad Boy and Nutrabolics for their incredible support. See you guys on October 24th!

Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Thank you very much, Mauricio.

Derek Bolender is an MMA contributor to MMAmania.com, CBSSports.com, BleacherReport.com, and InsideFights.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DerekMMAwriter and Facebook.com/Derek.Bolender.