UFC 161: ‘Shogun’ Rua parts ways with longtime head trainer, hires former K-1 finalist to take charge

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio Rua (once again) has made some changes to his staff of coaches.

And this time, "Shogun" decided it was time to make a change at the very top.

After amicably parting ways with longtime trainer Andre "Dida" Amado, Rua enlisted the services of former K-1 Grand Prix finalist Glaube Feitosa to lead his training camp ahead of his much-anticipated rematch against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

Sherdog has word straight from the horse's mouth:

"Glaube is an excellent teacher. He can convey information very clearly, and he's already seen my game. We have a very good sintony. I already worked with him and he's always been very good, so the expectations are the best possible with my new coach."

From being under the tutelage of famed boxing trainer Freddie Roach -- who taught Rua to throw a punch the right way -- to getting pointers from an accomplished striker such as Feitosa, the former PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix winner can only improve his striking game.

According to Rua's manager, Leonardo Salomao, the knowledge and quality of training his client will receive with Feitosa at the helm -- as well as the help of the rest of his coaching staff and training partners -- will result in a fighter who will be in "top shape" when he face "Lil Nog" at UFC 161 on June 15, 2013:

"We had already set up the final stretch of training camp before Dida left, then we just changed the head coach. We'll rely on the work of Glaube to pass along his fight knowledge. The other coaches will come to Curitiba in early May, and the final preparation will be intense. Shogun will be in top shape to battle on June 15, just wait."

Rua and Nogueira initially scrapped eight years ago in the second round of the 2005 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix. Rua got the best of the younger Nogueira brother, walking away with a unanimous decision victory.

And with a do-over a few months away, Rua is looking to get all of his ducks in a row in order to make it two-for-two against his fellow countryman.

What say you Maniacs, will the head trainer change assist Rua on his path to get back to his winning ways?