Mauricio Shogun adds Kiokushin in training to deal with Machida's karate

by Eduardo Cruz on Mar 19, 2010 9:34 AM EDT

“Glaube comes from karate and I feel honoured to have him in our gym. It’s a privilege. I think he’s the best striker in Brazil. He was the man who represented Brazil abroad. Everybody in the gym is his fan. Glaube is living in Curitiba and has being with us for two months. We already were fans before knowing him but after that we became even more. The guy is na extraordinary person, very humble. He has so much to help us at UFC”.

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has trained with K-1 fighter Glaube Feitosa – Karate Kyokushin style specialist – at UDL to take on Lyoto Machida at UFC 113 on May 13th. Their first meet ocurred at UFC 104 past October and “The Dragon” won his first title defense by unanimous decision in a fight that went on stand-up through the five rounds, something that will probably happen once again due to their respective origin in martial arts. Will Kyokushin training help Shogun to figure out how to handle with Machida Shotokan knowledge?

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Kyokushin is more aggressive and suits well on Shogun. Shotokan works with counter-attacks, so maybe it would be better for Rua to have acquired someone from Shotokan to help him. Feitosa is an experienced striker, though, and will give Shogun great hints to face off unorthodox Lyoto.

"Once Flamengo, Flamengo until die"

by Eduardo Cruz on Mar 19, 2010 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

Good move on Shoguns part

I think he’s mastered Machidas counter style/timing already but needs more aggression in his attacks without exposing himself. Kyokushin will hopefully help him with that. Can’t wait for the rematch.

BTW Is it me or does Rua look under weight in that picture?

A burning passion from a burning mass reaches up for the sky

by Shoguns Hairy Forearms. on Mar 19, 2010 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

So excited for this fight

I like that Rua isn’t being complacent about his last fight with Machida and is doing even more to prepare this time. I think being more aggresive is the only way for him to win this time around. He was a little too patient and conservative last time and I hope this new training will give him the edge come fight time.

"To me, MMA is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography and the dancers hit each other."

by Buster Bluth on Mar 19, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Totally agree BB

A burning passion from a burning mass reaches up for the sky

by Shoguns Hairy Forearms. on Mar 19, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he did great last time and do believe like everyone else i’ve spoken to that Shogun won the 1st fight. Had there been three other judges that night he would have probably got it.

I’d like to see Mauricio work on some boxing aswell, the hands are very important and his kicks are already outstanding.

there's still something so unifying about sport in it's purest form, when athletes rise above themselves and touch greatness and in doing so remind us all that we also have greatness inside of us.

by RoBerto. on Mar 19, 2010 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree he has got to fight aggressively without being exposed. That’s the plan, but what Machida is bringing this time?
Such a chess game.
In the picture, Rua is beside the heavyweight Feitosa so it might have shown him smaller.

"Once Flamengo, Flamengo until die"

by Eduardo Cruz on Mar 19, 2010 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

its' smart... I like it.

I appreciate both guys about the same.. but I’d like Lyoto to keep the strap.

I want Ricardo Arona to sign with the UFC and his first fight should be James Toney. This is a win win scenario for MMA

by Bigger Zino on Mar 19, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

EC

My theory about Machida is that he can’t change too much as his style is all he’s really done from being a child. He’s just been fortunate that no-one in MMA has understood it til now. Can he change and still be effective? I don’t think he can be as he’ll lose all the advantages he’s previously had.

IMO if Rua shows up ‘with gas’ its a wrap. He’s a very skilled and cerebral fighter these days. I think he’s the best fighter to never be crown World Champ and his time is now.

Slightly off topic now, I think he looks thin in the face and arms in that pic. How big is Feitosa?

A burning passion from a burning mass reaches up for the sky

by Shoguns Hairy Forearms. on Mar 19, 2010 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Feitosa is around 6’4 and around 230-235 lbs.

Wearing black usually makes you look smaller too.

there's still something so unifying about sport in it's purest form, when athletes rise above themselves and touch greatness and in doing so remind us all that we also have greatness inside of us.

by RoBerto. on Mar 19, 2010 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, Bigger Zino, I tend to root for Machida but recognize Shogun (also a fan of him) as the man to beat The Dragon. Perhaps the unique on. The belt will be held by a real champion anyway.

"Once Flamengo, Flamengo until die"

by Eduardo Cruz on Mar 19, 2010 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

either way thats true.

There both Champ Material.

I want Ricardo Arona to sign with the UFC and his first fight should be James Toney. This is a win win scenario for MMA

by Bigger Zino on Mar 19, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Shogun has the loved style while Machida had to prove he was right avoiding being caught by punches, kicks… either guys deserve the champion status.

Will Kyokushin give Shogun more aggressiveness? Hell, imagine him even more dangerous! But this time Lyoto has the real idea of his opponent.

50-50

"Once Flamengo, Flamengo until die"

by Eduardo Cruz on Mar 19, 2010 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Loving it

This is such and interesting fight. Everybody seem’s to love both Shogun and Machida for their different styles. I don’t think there has been a fight where so many fans are fan of both fighters equally. Makes for an amazing main event and who wins? Doesn’t matter. We love both :)

by peseg on Mar 19, 2010 3:23 PM EDT reply actions