Who will win UFC 97 Chuck"Iceman"Liddell vs Mauricio"Shogun"Rua?
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Shogun training with Demian for Liddell
Specialist about the adaptation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on MMA fights, Demian Maia submitted all five opponents he faced in the UFC, and now is helping Maurício “Shogun” Rua in his trainings for his next fight, against the former champion Chuck Liddell. Opening the doors of his gym in São Paulo for the Pride GP champion, Demian commented Ru’s training and is confident in another Brazilian victory in the octagon.
“He’s super professional, (Sérgio) Cunha is his head coach and takes care of all his training here, doing the schedules and everything, it’s great. He’s away from Curitiba (Shogun’s home town) and it’s good for him to get more concentrated”, said Demian, praising Shogun’s preparation. “He’s on the right way, but still if far from the fight, still has four weeks. He’ll get to the top now. I don’t know about Chuck, how is his preparation, but I think Shogun is very talented and, well trained, it’s hard to be beat”.
After hearing so many critics about Shogun’s fight with Mark Coleman, at UFC 93, Demian defends Shogun. “Everybody says that, but Idon’t think that the fight with Coleman was bad. Is was a very intense fight, maybe he got tired more, but I think he fought well. He got tired, that’s normal. People forget that Coleman fought with Fedor few time ago and did a great fight, he very tough… It’s not because he’s 45 that that you have to go there and kill him”, analyzes the undefeated fighter. Shogun faces Liddell at UFC 97 co-main event, which takes place at April 18th at Montreal, Canada.
Specialist about the adaptation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on MMA fights, Demian Maia submitted all five opponents he faced in the UFC, and now is helping Maurício “Shogun” Rua in his trainings for his next fight, against the former champion Chuck Liddell. Opening the doors of his gym in São Paulo for the Pride GP champion, Demian commented Ru’s training and is confident in another Brazilian victory in the octagon.
“He’s super professional, (Sérgio) Cunha is his head coach and takes care of all his training here, doing the schedules and everything, it’s great. He’s away from Curitiba (Shogun’s home town) and it’s good for him to get more concentrated”, said Demian, praising Shogun’s preparation. “He’s on the right way, but still if far from the fight, still has four weeks. He’ll get to the top now. I don’t know about Chuck, how is his preparation, but I think Shogun is very talented and, well trained, it’s hard to be beat”.
After hearing so many critics about Shogun’s fight with Mark Coleman, at UFC 93, Demian defends Shogun. “Everybody says that, but Idon’t think that the fight with Coleman was bad. Is was a very intense fight, maybe he got tired more, but I think he fought well. He got tired, that’s normal. People forget that Coleman fought with Fedor few time ago and did a great fight, he very tough… It’s not because he’s 45 that that you have to go there and kill him”, analyzes the undefeated fighter. Shogun faces Liddell at UFC 97 co-main event, which takes place at April 18th at Montreal, Canada.
Shogun’s Wrestling coach comments training
Facing one of the most tough light heavyweight fighters in UFC history at UFC 97, Maurício “Shogun” Rua is training hard in all aspects for the fight, and asked for the help of two of the best Brazilian Wrestlers. Renato Roma, five times Brazilian champion in Luta Olímpica, is his Wrestling coach, and spoke with TATAME.com about the trainings. “He doesn’t have to respect any opponent. He’s much more prepared than his opponent. He has to abuse of what he’s learning now. Everybody says that Chuck Liddell doesn’t go down, but he will. You’ll see it in the fight”, said Roma. “If he keeps like this, it’ll be hard to put Shogun down”, praised Denis Vieira, seven times Brazilian champion and Shogun’s sparring.
Facing one of the most tough light heavyweight fighters in UFC history at UFC 97, Maurício “Shogun” Rua is training hard in all aspects for the fight, and asked for the help of two of the best Brazilian Wrestlers. Renato Roma, five times Brazilian champion in Luta Olímpica, is his Wrestling coach, and spoke with TATAME.com about the trainings. “He doesn’t have to respect any opponent. He’s much more prepared than his opponent. He has to abuse of what he’s learning now. Everybody says that Chuck Liddell doesn’t go down, but he will. You’ll see it in the fight”, said Roma. “If he keeps like this, it’ll be hard to put Shogun down”, praised Denis Vieira, seven times Brazilian champion and Shogun’s sparring.
Maia, Others Refining ‘Shogun’
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has adopted a new approach and surrounded himself with an all-star cast of trainers as he prepares for one of the most significant fights of his career.
Once considered the world’s premier 205-pound competitor, the Brazilian gunner will face former light heavyweight champion and future hall of famer Chuck Liddell in the co-main event at UFC 97 “Redemption” on April 18 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
“This time, I’m doing 100 percent of my preparation in Sao Paulo, [Brazil],” Rua said. “Here, I’m 100 percent focused on training; my life here is a routine, and I’m training three times a day.”
Rua (17-3) -- who owns wins against Quinton “Rampage Jackson, Alistair Overeem (twice) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira -- was not happy with his performance against Mark Coleman at UFC 93 in January. He picked up the first UFC victory of his career when he stopped the 44-year-old on third-round strikes but appeared lethargic through much of the fight and struggled to put away Coleman.
“Against Coleman I wasn’t this focused,” Rua said. “Maybe [it was] because I was at home [in Curitiba, Brazil,] with my family and I was a little relaxed. Here, I have more motivation.”
In advance of his battle against Liddell, Rua has enlisted the help of four top trainers. He invited one of the most respected men in Brazil, Sergio Cunha, to serve as his head coach. In an effort to sharpen his jiu-jitsu, he brought in middleweight contender Demian Maia, who has submitted all five of his opponents inside the Octagon. In addition, Rua hired Eric Haddad, one of the top professionals in the Sao Paulo area, to improve his much maligned conditioning. Leaving no stone unturned, he also welcomed Renato Roma, a five-time national freestyle wrestling champion, into his camp.
Maia stepped in at the request of Wanderlei Silva, one of Rua’s longtime mentors.
“I opened my academy to his training,” Maia said. “Cunha is taking very good care of his training. Shogun is such a talented guy. He’s already in nice shape. Four weeks later, he will really be in his best shape, and it will be really hard for Liddell to beat him.”
Cunha, who has known Rua since he was 15, was vacationing in Curitiba when he received an invitation to join the 2005 Pride middleweight grand prix winner.
“Actually, I was working with B.J. Penn in Hawaii, but I came to Curitiba on vacation and to see my family, and he invited me to help him for this fight,” Cunha said. “Once B.J. was [between fights], I immediately accepted [the invitation] to help him.”
Considered one of the most technical products of the Chute Boxe Academy’s second generation team, Cunha has been impressed with Rua’s dedication to the UFC 97 bout.
“He knows it will be the fight of his life and is training really hard,” he said. “I’m really impressed with his physical and technical evolution in five weeks.”
Rua and his team have also put in the necessary work away from the gym. They have studied his UFC 71 technical knockout loss to Jackson and his most recent setback, a devastating knockout defeat to reigning light heavyweight king Rashad Evans at UFC 88 in September.
“We’re watching a lot of Liddell’s fights,” Cunha said. “Rashad had a good strategy, working on the counterpunching, and Quinton had it completely different, going on top of him, but Mauricio is more versatile and is working everything he can. We’re working on the possibility of taking this fight to the ground and working on the ground-and-pound or jiu-jitsu, since he’s 12 years younger than Liddell.”
Cunha wants all the bases covered.
“The most important thing is that he gets there well prepared with no injures,” he said. “The fans will see the Shogun that he was at Pride.”
Roma, who has spent the last month honing Rua’s wrestling game, believes Liddell (21-6) will have a hard time at UFC 97.
“His wrestling skills are evolving a lot,” Roma said. “People use to say that Liddell couldn’t be taken down. Yes, he can, and you will see that in this fight.”
Though he remains confident in his ability, Rua also has great respect for his opponent.
“Liddell is a guy who deserves all respect as a top fighter,” he said, “but I see myself victorious in this fight.”
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has adopted a new approach and surrounded himself with an all-star cast of trainers as he prepares for one of the most significant fights of his career.
Once considered the world’s premier 205-pound competitor, the Brazilian gunner will face former light heavyweight champion and future hall of famer Chuck Liddell in the co-main event at UFC 97 “Redemption” on April 18 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
“This time, I’m doing 100 percent of my preparation in Sao Paulo, [Brazil],” Rua said. “Here, I’m 100 percent focused on training; my life here is a routine, and I’m training three times a day.”
Rua (17-3) -- who owns wins against Quinton “Rampage Jackson, Alistair Overeem (twice) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira -- was not happy with his performance against Mark Coleman at UFC 93 in January. He picked up the first UFC victory of his career when he stopped the 44-year-old on third-round strikes but appeared lethargic through much of the fight and struggled to put away Coleman.
“Against Coleman I wasn’t this focused,” Rua said. “Maybe [it was] because I was at home [in Curitiba, Brazil,] with my family and I was a little relaxed. Here, I have more motivation.”
In advance of his battle against Liddell, Rua has enlisted the help of four top trainers. He invited one of the most respected men in Brazil, Sergio Cunha, to serve as his head coach. In an effort to sharpen his jiu-jitsu, he brought in middleweight contender Demian Maia, who has submitted all five of his opponents inside the Octagon. In addition, Rua hired Eric Haddad, one of the top professionals in the Sao Paulo area, to improve his much maligned conditioning. Leaving no stone unturned, he also welcomed Renato Roma, a five-time national freestyle wrestling champion, into his camp.
Maia stepped in at the request of Wanderlei Silva, one of Rua’s longtime mentors.
“I opened my academy to his training,” Maia said. “Cunha is taking very good care of his training. Shogun is such a talented guy. He’s already in nice shape. Four weeks later, he will really be in his best shape, and it will be really hard for Liddell to beat him.”
Cunha, who has known Rua since he was 15, was vacationing in Curitiba when he received an invitation to join the 2005 Pride middleweight grand prix winner.
“Actually, I was working with B.J. Penn in Hawaii, but I came to Curitiba on vacation and to see my family, and he invited me to help him for this fight,” Cunha said. “Once B.J. was [between fights], I immediately accepted [the invitation] to help him.”
Considered one of the most technical products of the Chute Boxe Academy’s second generation team, Cunha has been impressed with Rua’s dedication to the UFC 97 bout.
“He knows it will be the fight of his life and is training really hard,” he said. “I’m really impressed with his physical and technical evolution in five weeks.”
Rua and his team have also put in the necessary work away from the gym. They have studied his UFC 71 technical knockout loss to Jackson and his most recent setback, a devastating knockout defeat to reigning light heavyweight king Rashad Evans at UFC 88 in September.
“We’re watching a lot of Liddell’s fights,” Cunha said. “Rashad had a good strategy, working on the counterpunching, and Quinton had it completely different, going on top of him, but Mauricio is more versatile and is working everything he can. We’re working on the possibility of taking this fight to the ground and working on the ground-and-pound or jiu-jitsu, since he’s 12 years younger than Liddell.”
Cunha wants all the bases covered.
“The most important thing is that he gets there well prepared with no injures,” he said. “The fans will see the Shogun that he was at Pride.”
Roma, who has spent the last month honing Rua’s wrestling game, believes Liddell (21-6) will have a hard time at UFC 97.
“His wrestling skills are evolving a lot,” Roma said. “People use to say that Liddell couldn’t be taken down. Yes, he can, and you will see that in this fight.”
Though he remains confident in his ability, Rua also has great respect for his opponent.
“Liddell is a guy who deserves all respect as a top fighter,” he said, “but I see myself victorious in this fight.”
I hope Shogun has trained his cardio properly this time and Liddell gets submitted with a calf slicer.
Everyone should watch all of these Shogun fights.
vs Rafael Capoeira - August 1st 2003
vs Angelo Antonio - August 1st 2003
vs Lil' Cyborg - August 1st 2003
vs Eric Wanderlei (part 1) (part 2) - September 6th 2003
vs Babalu (part 1) (part 2) - September 6th 2003
vs Akira Shoji - October 5th 2003
vs Gono (part 1) (part 2) - February 15th 2004
vs Yasuhito Namekawa - October 14th 2004
vs Hiromitsu Kanehara - February 20th 2005
vs Rampage - April 23rd 2005
vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (refcam part 1) (refcam part 2) (refcam part 3) - June 26th 2005
vs Future K-1 HW Champ I (refcam) (regular) - August 28th 2005
vs Ricardo Arona (regular) (refcam) - August 28th 2005
vs Mark Coleman I - February 22nd 2006
vs Cyrille Diabate - September 10th 2006
vs Kevin Randleman - October 21st 2006
vs Kazuhiro Nakamura (part 1) (part 2) (part 3) (part 4) - December 31st 2006
vs Future WAMMA HW Champ II - February 24th 2007
vs Forrest Griffin - September 22nd 2007
vs Mark Coleman II - January 17th 2009
Everyone should watch all of these Shogun fights.
vs Rafael Capoeira - August 1st 2003
vs Angelo Antonio - August 1st 2003
vs Lil' Cyborg - August 1st 2003
vs Eric Wanderlei (part 1) (part 2) - September 6th 2003
vs Babalu (part 1) (part 2) - September 6th 2003
vs Akira Shoji - October 5th 2003
vs Gono (part 1) (part 2) - February 15th 2004
vs Yasuhito Namekawa - October 14th 2004
vs Hiromitsu Kanehara - February 20th 2005
vs Rampage - April 23rd 2005
vs Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (refcam part 1) (refcam part 2) (refcam part 3) - June 26th 2005
vs Future K-1 HW Champ I (refcam) (regular) - August 28th 2005
vs Ricardo Arona (regular) (refcam) - August 28th 2005
vs Mark Coleman I - February 22nd 2006
vs Cyrille Diabate - September 10th 2006
vs Kevin Randleman - October 21st 2006
vs Kazuhiro Nakamura (part 1) (part 2) (part 3) (part 4) - December 31st 2006
vs Future WAMMA HW Champ II - February 24th 2007
vs Forrest Griffin - September 22nd 2007
vs Mark Coleman II - January 17th 2009
Bonus: Wand Breaks Down Liddell-Shogun
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Monday, March 30, 2009
by Gleidson Venga ([email protected])
16776
Sherdog.com’s Gleidson Venga spoke with Wanderlei Silva last week about his UFC 99 matchup with Rich Franklin, but some material didn’t make the story. Here it is now: Silva discusses training with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and breaks down the April 18 Shogun-Liddell bout.
Sherdog.com: Your friend Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will face Chuck Liddell next month. What do you expect from this fight?
Silva: It will be a very important fight for Shogun. It will be a watershed for him. Probably for both, because Liddell has the rope around his neck. I have seen some statements by the boss [Dana White] saying that he could fire him. I do not know if he would, but he did say. The [word] around here on Liddell is that he got married, doesn’t hang out at night anymore and goes from home to the gym and from the gym to home. It seems that he is training like a madman. I hope that Shogun is preparing well.
I talked a lot with [Shogun], love him. That’s what I told him: Liddell is not Coleman. He is an aggressive guy, has heavy hands and does not give up. If he hits you on the chin, probably a KO. Shogun has a very aggressive style and has to be in very good shape, with much cardio, because he doesn’t stop. He goes with punches, kicks, knees and takedowns. With him there’s no asking to stop. So he has to give good attention to the cardio because his style requires much cardio. He is a very talented guy, but age comes for everyone, including him. Then with time he will realize that nowadays we … must have a higher preparation. The guys are always getting better here. Shogun is a guy who can win the belt soon. He is in the front of the line. I believe in him. I think he’ll have a great performance against Liddell. I would not be surprised if he knocks him out or submits him. If he gets a takedown, I think it ends in the second round by submission.
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Monday, March 30, 2009
by Gleidson Venga ([email protected])
16776
Sherdog.com’s Gleidson Venga spoke with Wanderlei Silva last week about his UFC 99 matchup with Rich Franklin, but some material didn’t make the story. Here it is now: Silva discusses training with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and breaks down the April 18 Shogun-Liddell bout.
Sherdog.com: Your friend Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will face Chuck Liddell next month. What do you expect from this fight?
Silva: It will be a very important fight for Shogun. It will be a watershed for him. Probably for both, because Liddell has the rope around his neck. I have seen some statements by the boss [Dana White] saying that he could fire him. I do not know if he would, but he did say. The [word] around here on Liddell is that he got married, doesn’t hang out at night anymore and goes from home to the gym and from the gym to home. It seems that he is training like a madman. I hope that Shogun is preparing well.
I talked a lot with [Shogun], love him. That’s what I told him: Liddell is not Coleman. He is an aggressive guy, has heavy hands and does not give up. If he hits you on the chin, probably a KO. Shogun has a very aggressive style and has to be in very good shape, with much cardio, because he doesn’t stop. He goes with punches, kicks, knees and takedowns. With him there’s no asking to stop. So he has to give good attention to the cardio because his style requires much cardio. He is a very talented guy, but age comes for everyone, including him. Then with time he will realize that nowadays we … must have a higher preparation. The guys are always getting better here. Shogun is a guy who can win the belt soon. He is in the front of the line. I believe in him. I think he’ll have a great performance against Liddell. I would not be surprised if he knocks him out or submits him. If he gets a takedown, I think it ends in the second round by submission.
Chuck Liddell Training wilth Boxing Olympic Gold Medalist
Chuck Liddell is getting some extra help on his boxing skills from 1976 Boxing Olympic Gold Medalist Howard Davis Jr., who has been in Chuck"s training camp for the past month.
"I"m helping Chuck with his striking and making sure that he uses his hand power to the fullest," said Davis Jr., who serves as Boxing Director for American Top Team & is Co-Founder of Fight Time Promotions in Florida.
Howard Davis Jr. says he"s providing Chuck with the strong training regimen that professional boxers use. Davis joined John Hackleman, who is Chuck"s longtime trainer of 16-years, a month ago and plans to stay in California for another 2 weeks.
Davis Jr. is a busy man. When he gets back to Florida, he plans on putting together his first MMA show as promoter and is inviting all interested sponsors to contact him at: howarddavisjr.com. Davis" first show is appropriately dubbed "Brazil VS USA."
Chuck Liddell takes on Brazilian superstar Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 97 in Montreal in what promises to be one of the most explosive bouts of 2009! The 39-year-old former light heavyweight champion won an amazing 14 out of 15 UFC matches from 1999-2006, and is now focused on winning the title back from Rashad Evans, who defeated Liddell at UFC 88. Liddell is making sure that his renewed boxing skills can assure him a win.
Chuck Liddell is getting some extra help on his boxing skills from 1976 Boxing Olympic Gold Medalist Howard Davis Jr., who has been in Chuck"s training camp for the past month.
"I"m helping Chuck with his striking and making sure that he uses his hand power to the fullest," said Davis Jr., who serves as Boxing Director for American Top Team & is Co-Founder of Fight Time Promotions in Florida.
Howard Davis Jr. says he"s providing Chuck with the strong training regimen that professional boxers use. Davis joined John Hackleman, who is Chuck"s longtime trainer of 16-years, a month ago and plans to stay in California for another 2 weeks.
Davis Jr. is a busy man. When he gets back to Florida, he plans on putting together his first MMA show as promoter and is inviting all interested sponsors to contact him at: howarddavisjr.com. Davis" first show is appropriately dubbed "Brazil VS USA."
Chuck Liddell takes on Brazilian superstar Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 97 in Montreal in what promises to be one of the most explosive bouts of 2009! The 39-year-old former light heavyweight champion won an amazing 14 out of 15 UFC matches from 1999-2006, and is now focused on winning the title back from Rashad Evans, who defeated Liddell at UFC 88. Liddell is making sure that his renewed boxing skills can assure him a win.
Chuck Liddell talks Shogun Rua
“I am looking to get back to competing for the title. I want to get back to the top and put some of my past fights behind me and get my revenge…. I am in great shape. I have been waiting to fight Rua for a long time. He was one of the best in Pride and seen as one of the top guys until he lost to Forrest so this is going to be a great fight…. I am going to go after him. I am going to pressure him and make him prove that he is in shape. But basically I am going to try to knock his head off.”
“I am looking to get back to competing for the title. I want to get back to the top and put some of my past fights behind me and get my revenge…. I am in great shape. I have been waiting to fight Rua for a long time. He was one of the best in Pride and seen as one of the top guys until he lost to Forrest so this is going to be a great fight…. I am going to go after him. I am going to pressure him and make him prove that he is in shape. But basically I am going to try to knock his head off.”
