Shogun agrees to Machida bout, in principle

[QuieTSToRM33]

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has in principle accepted a bout with new light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, MMAWeekly.com has learned from sources close to negotiations.

Though a concrete date for the fight could not be confirmed, and Machida’s management could not be reached at the time of this writing, sources say it would likely take place in October or November.

In a conference call Thursday announcing the season 10 coaches of “The Ultimate Fighter,” UFC president Dana White said he was in the process of finding Machida’s next opponent, once thought to be former champion Quinton Jackson. Jackson took one of the coaching slots for the reality show, while recently deposed champ Rashad Evans took the other. The two will likely face each other at the conclusion of the show, expected for UFC 103 on Sept. 26.

“(Machida) will fight,” said White. “We're working on it right now. As soon as it's signed, I'll announce it... which I'm hoping will be today or tomorrow.”

Asked whether Machida would headline UFC 103, White responded, “that’s not true.”

At the post-fight press conference for UFC 98, Machida said he would take a short vacation and return to training. Manager Ed Soares earlier told MMAWeekly that the new champion would like another fight before the end of 2009.

Rua is coming off a devastating stoppage of former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell at UFC 97. The performance was a stark turnaround from two lackluster performances at UFC 76 and UFC 93, which “Shogun” attributed to unfocused training camps and a persistent knee injury.

Rua recently praised Machida’s performance and expressed his desire to face the undefeated fighter in an interview with tatame.com.

“Lyoto was phenomenal, beat Rashad and proved he’s the best of this division,” said Rua. “I’d love to (fight him), he’s a top guy. I wanna fight the best.”

Another big fight ... I really hope Shogun returns to his old self ... because this could be a very entertaining fight.


http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/...8862&zoneid=13

[rush_604]

Should be a sick fight.

I hope Shogun can pull it off

[Brown Ninja]

call me crazy but I'll go with Shogun. Awesome match up

[J-Dogg]

I'm really hoping Shogun can pull this off.

My heart says "Come on Shogun".

My brain tells me there is no way 2009 Shogun can beat La Cheeta.

Wonder what the betting odds will be.

[Hunter]

If and its a big if, shogun stays injury free he has a shot. However I dont see Shogun winning. We will see machida's wrestling and bjj if it gets to heated and he is not controlling the pace.

[yannick35]

Way to early to give Shogun a big fight like this, i love the guy but he should fight Griffin again or another top qualiber fighter before getting a title shot like this.

[Biohazard74]

Way to early to give Shogun a big fight like this, i love the guy but he should fight Griffin again or another top qualiber fighter before getting a title shot like this.

I agree. This can be a bad career move on his part. Wayyyyyy too early for that fight to happen.

[Brown Ninja]

Shogun by knee bar!

[WARMachine]

Tough fight.

I think Shogun will be too aggressive.

Machida by TKO.

[J-Dogg]

On the ground, who would you guys give the edge too?

I always thought Shogun was underrated on the ground, he rolls well and IMO has about the best BJJ in the LHW (UFC) class.

At this point, I'd give the stand up to Matchita. But a AGRESSIVE Shogun could beat Machita.

If you look back to the Sokado (Sp? The Jamaican that fought Machita), he could have out struck Machita but he had zero experience on the ground and it showed. He was in his 3rd or 4th professional fight at that point I believe.

2005 Shogun was a strong, powerful striker though, not just good at hitting you, but you were punished when you were. And he can roll with Babalu in BJJ so he's no slouch on the ground.

[BG]

I dont think Shogun has much of a chance, he beat Chuck and gets a title shot?? Come on. Well now we can atleast realy call Chuck a gate keeper.

[Knockout_Power]

Agreed, not proven enough in the UFC to go after a belt, should at least have to face Rampage or Evans first

[bjpennnn]

shogun has no chance.

[Brown Ninja]

come on, he has a great chance. The only reason he lost to Forrest was cause he blew out his knee at the end of the first round. Watch that first round and tell me the better fighter is.

[Brown Ninja]

Machida is tough as nails but we have never really seen him on the ground. If Shogun has a solid game plan I can definately see him taking this one. The main reason he got the fight was becuase Page wanted Evans. I'm glad they made the fight because otherwise we'd have to wait 8 months to see Machida defend the belt. Who else deserves a shot?

[BG]

come on, he has a great chance. The only reason he lost to Forrest was cause he blew out his knee at the end of the first round. Watch that first round and tell me the better fighter is.

Sorry buddy but your crazy, did you miss the Coleman fight? Against Chuck he stood back waiting for the big shot. Machida will expose him horribly , it's going to be bad. To take Machida down you have to gget close, Shogun doesn't have it in him.

[Hunter]

I dont see shogun having the wrestling to take machida down. I think his bjj is good enough to submit machida. Striking he is a talented striker but I just see machida has having to many tools. It will be a decent fight if shogun stays injury free and like I said thats a big if.

[TractionIssues]

Sadly I love Shogun, but even if he stays injury free and even goes back to how well he fought, I still don't think the chances would be in his favour. Actually at the moment I don't believe ANYONE has a very good chance against Machida. Not only is he undefeated, and completely demolishes every opponent he fights, he has also is almost completely untouchable, and has NEVER lost a SINGLE ROUND in his career, even against top fighters. I think it wont be long before we start to see questions about him being top P4P fighter next to Fedor and GSP.

[bjpennnn]

rush you see kid yamamoto lose? i was so sad, he is one of my faves.

[Brown Ninja]

Well then you all heard it hear first. Shogun will be the new champ. Flame away for the time being but after he wins I expect apologies.

[BG]

Well then you all heard it hear first. Shogun will be the new champ. Flame away for the time being but after he wins I expect apologies.

lol if he is champ we will make an apoligie thread for you !!!

[Knockout_Power]

Anyone can win a fight, we've all seen things that "shouldnt" happen, but if both come in equally prepared it will be a great fight to watch but I cant see Shogun having enough to take out Machida. He is not showing the same kind of passion he did in years past, looks more like a payday for him now. Too bad cause he was one of the greats.

[WARMachine]

On the ground, who would you guys give the edge too?

Pretty even. Machida is training with better guys right now. Unless Shogun goes to train w/ Wand & Maia.

I always thought Shogun was underrated on the ground, he rolls well and IMO has about the best BJJ in the LHW (UFC) class. Youre insane, his BJJ is so so. Not a high level BB imo. Its a little less obvious now with my friend Vinicius gone, but Eliot Marshall has the best BJJ in the LHW division right now. Followed by likely Cain. Arent too many really great experts on the ground @ 205.

At this point, I'd give the stand up to Matchita. But a AGRESSIVE Shogun could beat Machita. Thats what everyone thinks...

If you look back to the Sokado (Sp? The Jamaican that fought Machita), he could have out struck Machita but he had zero experience on the ground and it showed. He was in his 3rd or 4th professional fight at that point I believe.
That was Sokos 5th fight i believe. And he has ground experience, but his subs and sub defense arent up to par. He is a world class Judoka player though...

2005 Shogun was a strong, powerful striker though, not just good at hitting you, but you were punished when you were. And he can roll with Babalu in BJJ so he's no slouch on the ground. Hes no slouch, but hes not the best in thw division. Not even close.

BOLDS my brutha.

[WARMachine]

Well then you all heard it hear first. Shogun will be the new champ. Flame away for the time being but after he wins I expect apologies.

I dont think he will win, but he will have a better chance than most people think he will.

If hes injury free, and brings his A game, hes a very talented guy... Should be an interesting fight.

I think thd deciding factor will be Machidas chin, cause i think Shogun will find a way to connect honestly. We shall see...

[xnotoriousx]

I'm going with shogun in the second round by sub choke.

Who wants to take the bet?


Tito should have just locked that damn triangle!!!!

[WARMachine]

^ Id take a piece of that.

[Brown Ninja]

Remember the last bet we made War? You want none of this!

[WARMachine]

[Brown Ninja]

I thought you were a good sport?

[icepick27]

if any one thinks shogun can beat machida ,they should be on the smoking krack forum............ iam not jumping on the wagon either i felt this way before his last fight ,only a few people have a little shot in that divison of catching him with a shot and thats it .. alot of people are going to be moving to 185 .........

[WARMachine]

^ Dont count on it.

Well be seeing.

[icepick27]

listen anything can happen in mma we all agree on that, so i hate making perdeictions ,i knew style wise rashad was a bad match for machida ,on the other hand i think shogun poses ,more of a threat ,then rashad and maybe more then rampage depending on how rampage fights that night if he wrestles he has the best shot if he just stands there which i think he is ,it will be a short night for rampage ,back too shogun he does have a good shot and it wont be a shocker if he wins ,i just think beating a old liddle ,aint nothing for what he is about to face ...machida in 2

[Brown Ninja]

Machida can't beat Ryan Bader