Yardbarker: Mauricio Rua

Quote of the Day: Mauricio Shogun Rua on Possible December Return

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:21:50 -0500

After a long layoff due to a ruptured ACL suffered in training for Chuck Liddell, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua weighs-in on a time-table for his return to the cage. He recently spoke with Tatame.

"My knee is very good, thanks to God. I was going to begin my hard train this week but I spoke to my doctor and he decides to make the exams this week. I have been doing Boxing and physical train, and I think next week I will return to the Jiu-Jitsu and gradually train more"

"I will train hard to face anyone. I had a defeat on my debut and I can't choose my opponent. It is not settle yet, but I expect to return on December, it's better for me"

Lets hope he comes back with a purpose, I would love to see a rematch with Forrest.

(Props Cage Today)

The Anatomy of Forrest Griffin's upset victory over Rampage Jackson

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:11:32 -0500

Overview : Forrest Griffin displayed in his UFC 86 fight against Rampage Jackson that by fighting with a superior, disciplined battle plan designed to weaken his component's core and utilize his own strengths, an underdog can defeat a heavy favorite. Basically, Forrest Griffin masterfully executed his game plan of the following components to overcome Rampage Jackson via unanimous decision : 1. Leg kicks to shake Rampage's foundation : Every man's base are his legs, and even if you're a beast like Rampage, if you don't have your legs, your chances of winning are reduced dramatically. From the opening bell, Forrest Griffin went after Jackson's legs. Although, he had been knocked down by Jackson in the first round, Griffin's persistent leg-kicking had Rampage wobbly by the end of the round. In Round 2, Griffin unleashed his leg kicks full force, and his pain infliction on Rampage enabled him to take Rampage Jackson. He went for the standing guillotine choke, but when that didn't work, he went on top of Rampage, gained full mount and gave Rampage a steady dose of short range elbows, and almost submitted him. 2. A disciplined boxing game : The leg kicks allowed Forrest Griffin to take Rampage Jackson out of his game plan, but it was the boxing that allowed Griffin to give Rampage a steady dose of the leg kicks. Griffin continually pressed the action with his constant movement and one-twos. The combination of the pain in his legs and the chaos created by the constant movement and left-rights messed with Rampage's head and totally took Rampage out of the fight psychologically. Rampage Jackson ended up displaying very little of his action style that he displayed in knocking out Chuck Liddell and beating Dan Henderson. Instead of zigzagging, Rampage moved mostly back and forth, and occasionally moved side to side. He was unable to sustain any kind of rhythm, and he displayed none of his range-traversing fluidity. 3. Paying attention to the details of groundfighting : What sealed the deal for Forrest Griffin were the little details that he paid attention to in his grappling. Whenever he was taken down by Rampage, he clung to Rampage like a suction cup, so that Rampage could not pound him senseless. Also, in Round 4, when a failed triangle choke attempt from underneath could have turned him into another Ricardo Arona, he unbuckled Jackson's hold just in time so that he wouldn't be powerbombed full force. Summary : It is obvious from the way that Forrest Griffin fought that he thoroughly prepared himself to fight Rampage Jackson : Forrest shook Rampage's whole foundation with his painful leg kicks ; even though he knew he couldn't knock out Rampage with his hands, he never stopped moving his feet or throwing his one-twos. In turn, his hands set up more leg kicks, and more pain for Rampage. Forrest did take some hard hits from Rampage, but he didn't take so many that he would lose the fight. Even when Rampage took Griffin to the ground via knockdowns or takedowns, he did whatever he could to neutralize Rampage's strength and position advantage by sticking to Rampage like glue. Coming into the fight, Forrest Griffin had to fight the fight of his life to beat Rampage Jackson, who is as hot as any fighter in the UFC. Most people, myself included, didn't think Forrest would fight that fight, as chances of someone fighting that well aren't really high. But Forrest Griffin, just like he outgamed Shogun Rua, outdid Rampage Jackson, and is now the proud UFC light heavyweight champion!

Analyzing The UFC's Light Heavyweight Division

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:25:20 -0500

The UFC's light heavyweight division has a ton of star power, and blockbuster fight possibilities. The division will be on full display during the next few events as several big time fights will go down. Here's a breakdown of the top fighters, along with some possible fight scenarios for the future.

UFC President Dana White needs to swallow his pride

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:58:32 -0500

First, Shogun Rua had to pull out of his fight with Chuck Liddell with an injury. Dana White was able to get Rashad Evans to fill in for Rua. Now, Liddell has been forced to withdraw due to an injury as well. White got James Irvin to fill in for Liddell. Talk about going from the penthouse to the outhouse. White went from having one of the most anticipated fights in UFC history to a fight that even hardcore fans don't care much about. Even the rumored addition of Chris Leben versus Michael Bisping won't be able to salvage a mediocre pay-per-view.

Chuck Liddell out of UFC 85

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:37:30 -0500

After getting the chance of a lifetime to face Chuck Liddell at UFC 85, Rashad Evans is now left without an opponent after Liddell withdrew from the event due to a torn right hamstring sustained in his training last week. Evans stepped up to face Liddell after Liddell's original opponent, Mauricio Rua, had to pull out due to an ACL injury. Evans must now play the waiting game.