PRIDE Fighting Championships veteran Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (16-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who recently signed a contract with the UFC, will make his Octagon debut at UFC 76 against undefeated Lyoto Machida (10-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC).
UFC president Dana White announced the fight during an interview that aired today on ESPN.
The 25-year-old Rua, one of the world’s top-ranked 205-pound fighters, has won 12 of his past 13 fights — nine of which came via knockout or technical knockout. PRIDE’s 2005 Grand Prix Tournament winner had fought for the Japanese-based fight organization since October 2003 and racked up victories over such notables as current UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson, Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
White recently stated that Rua could earn a title shot after just one victory in the UFC.
Rua will now face Machida, who most recently defeated David Heath at a UFC 70 event in April.
Although his name still doesn’t register with many UFC fans, Machida has scored impressive wins outside the UFC over the likes of Stephan Bonnar, B.J. Penn and Rich Franklin. The Brazilian made his Octagon debut at UFC 67 in February and scored a unanimous-decision win over Sam Hoger.
UFC 76 takes place Sept. 22 in Anaheim, Calif. UFCjunkie.com (www.ufcjunkie.com) exclusively announced over that weekend that a bout between top welterweight Jon Fitch and Diego Sanchez will also take place at the event.
For the latest UFC 76 fight card, check out the UFC Rumors section of UFCjunkie.com.
UFC president Dana White announced the fight during an interview that aired today on ESPN.
The 25-year-old Rua, one of the world’s top-ranked 205-pound fighters, has won 12 of his past 13 fights — nine of which came via knockout or technical knockout. PRIDE’s 2005 Grand Prix Tournament winner had fought for the Japanese-based fight organization since October 2003 and racked up victories over such notables as current UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson, Ricardo Arona and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
White recently stated that Rua could earn a title shot after just one victory in the UFC.
Rua will now face Machida, who most recently defeated David Heath at a UFC 70 event in April.
Although his name still doesn’t register with many UFC fans, Machida has scored impressive wins outside the UFC over the likes of Stephan Bonnar, B.J. Penn and Rich Franklin. The Brazilian made his Octagon debut at UFC 67 in February and scored a unanimous-decision win over Sam Hoger.
UFC 76 takes place Sept. 22 in Anaheim, Calif. UFCjunkie.com (www.ufcjunkie.com) exclusively announced over that weekend that a bout between top welterweight Jon Fitch and Diego Sanchez will also take place at the event.
For the latest UFC 76 fight card, check out the UFC Rumors section of UFCjunkie.com.
