Mauricio "Shogun" Rua has, no doubt, been truly amazing. Coming out of Curitiba, Brazil, Rua has been a dominant figure in the UFC. His record is 17-3 after coming into the place in 2007. At 27-years-old, he looks to beat the aging Chuck "Iceman" Liddell, who is turning 40-years-old. I'll explain the keys to winning for beating Liddell, who is 21-6, later in this article but I'll profile Rua, who looks to be the favorable winner, to me, in this matchup. Age: 27 Height: 6'1" Weight: 205 pounds Record: 17-3 Next Fight: Against Chuck "Iceman" Liddell in the UFC 97 Redemption. Rua has a pretty nice profile, overall. Against Liddell, who is turning 40 soon, people think he looks like a winner because these two fighters are almost 13 years apart in age. What's at stake for Rua? What can Rua do for a win? Keys to the fight are big. So that is why I am right here to explain them. Striking According to World of Combat, they say both of these guys are good at it. It's 50-50. I really don't agree that much. Chuck Liddell has excellent striking but Rua, on the other hand, has the agression. Rua is going to have a tough day. "The Iceman" has knocked-out two of his last four outings. Could Liddell do it to "Shogun?" Maybe not. Rua has things in the fight at stake, but Liddell has been punched around himself. He got destroyed by Rampage Jackson. But I don't know if Liddell can engage. I say Rua can win in the striking. This will be tough for him though. Liddell is an excellent striker but maybe Rua can handle it. So I got one of the keys to the fight but that is just one. I have a few more. Rua isn't called "Shogun" for nothing. BJJ (Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu) Rua completely owns in this section. Rua has been excellent in the BJJ. But Liddell really can't get tackled down to the ground that easily. "Iceman" is good for scrambling off his back but Rua can get him down. But Rua can beat Liddell in this section. This is a very important key to the fight. Wrestling Now this is the toughest thing for Rua to take advantage of. Like WOC, I also say that Liddell could beat out Rua in this side of the fight. But how can Rua handle this part? How is Liddell favorable in this part? Well first, Liddell is a D-1 wrestler and is very good at taking people down. His take-downs work most of the time, so Rua will have to look out in this one. He will have to pay very close attention because Liddell can strike at any point in the fight. His take-downs are mostly unexpected. How will Rua take him down? Rua will have to look out and probably do the unexpected to Liddell. Just try as hard as you can, buddy. Rua has to force the 205 pounds of him into Liddell. It will be tough here for Rua. Cardio WOC says it is 50-50. I say Rua in this part of the fight, though. These guys can go for more than 15 minutes. But mostly, these guys have been tired from over 15 minutes. Liddell has more experience as he has been in 25-minute-battles. But with Rua, it could be a little tiresome for him. In his last fight, Shogun looked very unimpressive with his fatigue against Mark Coleman. But Rua does look like the "Top Dog" in the fight. He is young and could get it around the 40-year-old Liddell. With 205 pounds, Rua has potential in this fight. Cardio will take a HUGE part in this fight. What's at stake for Rua is a lot! Conclusion This fight can go either way. I really would like to see Rua win, but it will be tough. Keys to winning, Rua needs to show heart out there if he can win. It'll be tough for him. I say the fight may end in two rounds. Shogun has the technique. Liddell has the punching power. It is a tough one to call for me but Rua looks to be a favorable winner. WOC says for Liddell to win and I respect that. It'll be tough, still. What can a win or loss do for Rua? Will with a win, Rua could emerge as a much better fighter. He could take more and more advantage of players with a win, but a loss really can't hurt him at all. If he had a 17-4 record, it won't matter. Rampage Jackson is 30-7. Jackson has more losses and it doesn't affect him at all! But at 27-years-old for "Shogun," and a loss in this fight, he has way more years in the UFC, so nothing can really happen that can harm his fighting career. With a win or loss, Rua will improve his skills in fighting. It will be a good fight and you will be seeing me watching this fight, no matter what! So Rua, get the win or commit a sin. Okay that just sounds stupid so let me just shut up right here.
Rua's conditioning has been horrible in the UFC. He basically has four minutes to get his work done or he will be in for a decision loss, IMHO.
If Liddell really does intend to mix in his kicks, take downs, wrestling, and has improved his boxing defense, I think Rua is in for a loss unless he catches Chuck. I got Liddell via Late KO or UD.
A loss for Rua could spell him getting released, no? 1-2 in 3 fights and all could be lackluster performances. The first two certainly were.
Yeah, it could. I don't know how many fights are on his contract but he flames out of the UFC with a bad performance this weekend. It would be a shame, too.
I really hope Rua has a good showing. I don't want to see him out of the UFC, hes got skills, he just needs to put his heart into it. I honestly believed Rua looked down on his last two opponents, with Griffin it bit him in the ass cause Griffin just won't quit and Rua got beat. With Coleman though, they both gassed so it didnt hurt him that bad. Against Liddell, I really think Shogun is dedicated and ready to kick some ass.
