Report: Mauricio Rua could return by October
April 28, 2008 by Sam Caplan
USA Today caught up with injured UFC light heavyweight Mauricio “Shogun” Rua during this past Saturday’s UWC event in the Washington D.C.-area.
According to writer Sergio Non, Rua indicated to him that he believes he will be fully recovered from his ACL surgery by either October or November.
Rua had been scheduled to fight Chuck Liddell at UFC 85 in London this June, but he had to bow out after aggravating the injury. Rashad Evans was tapped as a replacement against Liddell but Liddell recently pulled out of the fight due to a hamstring injury.
Rua believes that a fight between he and Liddell will happen before year’s end.
i hope he comes in better shape this time. he was so spectacular in Pride, and I’d hate to have it proven that roids were responsible for that.
As much as i want to see him get back in the cage and redeem himself, I hope he doesn’t rush it.
It is unreal how quickly athletes are coming back from these injuries now. I would rather see him lay off another 3-6 months and be 100% healthy and confident in his knee.
[...] (Tip of the Hat to Sam Caplan at FiveOuncesOfPain.com) [...]
Is Liddell/Rua an actual possibility by year’s end?
i dont think he will ever be the same without soccar kicks, head stomps, and the ropes to use as momentum for those sharp knees to the head.
I like Rua but I think Liddell will kill him. I think he will do well against most LHWs but Lidell just seems like a bad match up for Rua in my head. I don’t think he will be able to take him down or clinch effectively and Lidell has heavy hands whereas Rua doesn’t in comparrison.
So I will go Liddell TKO in the 2nd.
Shogun was one of the only strikers to use every tool available in PRIDEFC, stomp, kicks, knees, striking.. he would overwhelm guys with his hits.
the last fight I saw with him against Ricardo Arona…. absolutely incredible.
UFC needs to change its rules to include stomps. Even if it did, I think Shogun Rua would have trouble in the cage. The fight is too hyped up and there is too much on the line… the comfort isnt there.
Regardless, I’ll watch Rua whoever he fights. Chuck Liddell vs Shogun is one of my 5 most watched matches atm.