UFC 93: Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua Says His Fight With Mark Coleman Needs a Real Ending

When the Ultimate Fighting Championship purchased Pride Fighting Championships in 2007, there was no Pride fighter that UFC fans were more excited about seeing than Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Regarded by many as the best light heavyweight MMA fighter in the world, Rua had gone 12-1 in Pride and was expected to have some epic clashes with the best light heavyweights in the UFC.

But it hasn't happened. Rua fought for the UFC just once in 2007, losing what at the time was considered a shocking upset to Forrest Griffin. And because of injuries, he didn't fight at all in 2008.

Now Rua is healthy and ready to get back into the Octagon, and with a fight against Mark Coleman on January 17 at UFC 93, he has a chance to avenge his only loss in Pride. That fight ended because Rua suffering a nasty elbow injury and couldn't go on, and in an interview this week, Rua told me he feels like that fight didn't have a proper ending, and UFC 93 will be his opportunity to finish it.

The interview, which was conducted via e-mail with translating help from Rua's manager, is below.

When you think back on your previous fight with Mark Coleman, what are your thoughts, especially about the way that fight ended? And did you learn anything from that fight that you can use in your rematch?
Well, I think that fight ended on an accident, honestly. I had tendinitis in my elbow for quite a while back then, and I think that helped to cause the injury. I feel it's like a fight that didn't really end, and the fans deserved to see it go fair and square, and have an ending. What I learned from that fight is that things can change quickly. Sometimes you are at your best phase, and things can change suddenly. So you have to be prepared, train hard, work hard and treasure what you have.
(Editor's note: The events that unfolded at the end of the first Coleman-Rua fight are shown in the below video.)


It's been more than a year since you've fought. Is there any concern that you'll be rusty? And are you back to 100% after the injuries you've suffered?
I'm back 100%! I think it has been a long time since I've been as injury-free as I am right now. My recovery went great and I have no problems. I don't really think about being rusty, you have to go and do your job. We did what we had to, me and my team, and that's to train hard. Coleman has been sidelined for a while too, so it goes both ways.

There has been talk that if you beat Coleman, you could fight Chuck Liddell at UFC 96 on March 7. Are you interested in that fight? And would that be enough time to prepare?
I admire Chuck Liddell a lot. Before I ever dreamed of being a professional fighter, I was already watching him fight, and since I always enjoyed stand up fighting, I always liked to see him fight. We were supposed to fight at one point, so who knows? It's truly up to the UFC, they do a great job and if them and my manager wants me to do it, fine. March 7 wouldn't be the ideal date though, but I have to focus on Coleman and nothing else. I have to defeat him, and them we'll see what comes up, right now I just care about him.

When you signed with the UFC you were considered the best light heavyweight in the world. How many fights do you think you'd need to win in the UFC to earn a title shot?
That's also something that I'm not thinking of. A title fight should be a natural consequence of your work. If you're doing well, the fans like you and you're moving up, the UFC will give it to you. I trust the UFC's decision making, and all I have to care is about winning my next fight. Right now, my next fight is Mark Coleman, after that, we'll think of the next step, and so on.

Who is the best opponent you have ever fought?
I fought a lot of tough guys, and maybe the 205-pound division is the toughest in the world, so it's really tough to say. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira was a very tough fight.

Who do you consider the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world?
Anderson Silva! He is just great.

Most of your experience is in a ring. Do you prefer the ring or the cage?
I like to fight in both, but right now I really enjoy the cage. I have been training with it for quite a while now, and the crowd just loves it, so I like it as well.

Millions of Americans saw your brother Murilo fight in the last EliteXC show. How is he doing and when will we see him fighting again?
Ninja is a great fighter, it's not because he is my brother, but he truly is well-rounded and has too much heart. He is doing great, taking care of his little baby and waiting to see the EliteXC situation unfold. It's sad for all those great fighters to have to be sidelined waiting for business decisions to be made. Our manager has been working on this, but it seems it's tough to know for sure yet. We would guess around April, but we'll see.

You're only 27, but you fought so long in Pride that it feels like you've been around forever. How long do you expect to fight? What do you think you'll do when you retire?
That's a very intriguing question. (Laughs.) Who knows? It all depends on your body, but if I'm healthy I plan on fighting for many years to come, because this is what I love to do, it's my life. After I retire I'll have to find out another passion, but I really don't think about that right now. Ask me again some years down the road. (Laughs.)

At the end of 2009, what will fans be saying about the year Shogun Rua had?
I hope the fans will be saying something like "Hey! Shogun is really back, and this guy is for real!" I work hard with my team, UDL, my trainers and my teammates to always put my heart on the line and give my best. We believe in doing fast-paced, exciting fights, so I really hope the fans can enjoy them.