SHOGUN SIGNS TO FACE CHUCK LIDDELL

[Dilaudid]

Former Pride Grand Prix champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has signed a contract to face former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. Sources close to MMAWeekly confirmed that the fight will take place in either May or June, but more than likely at the next event in London, which Ultimate Fighting Championship officials have already said would be June 14 at the O2 Arena.

The UFC has been the subject of much speculation in regards to negotiating a broadcast network television deal. Although nothing has been announced, in a recent media conference call, UFC vice president of operations and productions Craig Borsari indicated that they were hopeful that they could have something in place for the June event in London.

Once considered the top 205-pound fighter in the world, Shogun saw most of his success in Pride Fighting Championships. The former Chute Boxe fighter holds wins over notable opponents such as Alistair Overeem, Kevin Randleman, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Ricardo Arona and the current UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson. In his long awaited Octagon debut at UFC 67, Rua was submitted by Ultimate Fighter winner Forrest Griffin.

Liddell is coming off one of the most significant victories of his career with an exciting unanimous victory over Rua’s former teammate Wanderlei Silva. The much-needed win ended a two-fight losing streak for the “Iceman.”

The bout was first speculated when Liddell told Sport Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim, when questioned about his next opponent, “Possibly Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua. That's what they're saying. If it's the June fight, it will probably be in London. But my trainer is trying to get it moved to Vegas.”

[YoungNJacked]

liddel will lose, plain and simple.......couldnt cut it in pride thats why he stuck to the states.......now that pride is over here fighting with UFC, we will soon see all this shit talk about american fight schools

[Dilaudid]

One thing I learned is to never bet against Liddell or Couture....

Even tho Shogun is one of my favorite fighters I am not going to even try to call this one...
but I am hoping Rua get's the win.

[DaPit26]

Originally Posted by YoungNJacked

liddel will lose, plain and simple.......couldnt cut it in pride thats why he stuck to the states.......now that pride is over here fighting with UFC, we will soon see all this shit talk about american fight schools

Yes and no. Look at cro cop, before the merge everyone said he would walk through anyone in the ufc. Pretty poor showing so far in the ufc. Rampage living up to the name, wandy suffered a brutal loss and he was one of the most dangerous in pride. I will admit that fedor is probably the baddest around but as for many of the pride guys, they're not as impressive as all said and the US boys are doing fine as of now, but we shall see with lidell vs shogun. I do like Shoguns fighting style. Though he also lost his ufc debut against forrest.