UFC Quick Quote: ‘Shogun’ Rua doesn’t deserve a title shot against Lyoto Machida

“I’m going to root for Lyoto [Machida]. I’m not saying Shogun is not prepared but how long did Lyoto have to wait to get a title shot? The truth is Shogun fought twice and how many fights Machida had to do? Its obvious something is up. I’m not here to talk bad words on nobody but life is made of chances and I said to our managers this fight shouldn’t happen. Shogun didn’t fight enough to deserve the belt. The thing is precious and if I was Lyoto I wouldn’t accept. He is a great champion and must be respected but this is my opinion. [That said], I’ve much respect for Shogun, who is a great athlete that has showed good performances lately and recovered from injuries.”

– UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva shares his thoughts with BrasilCombate.com.br (via Fighters Only) on the first title defense of his good friend and training partner, Lyoto Machida, against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 104 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 24. Rua — widely regarded as the top 205-pound fighter in the world before a submission loss to Forrest Griffin in his Octagon debut in 2007 — is coming off a first round technical knockout of former 205-pound champion, Chuck Liddell, at UFC 97: “Redemption.” He also defeated Mark Coleman via third round technical knockout in a lackluster performance earlier this year at UFC 93: “Franklin vs. Henderson.” So is “Shogun” really ready to slay the “Dragon” or is he merely the only man left standing after Quinton “Rampage” Jackson turned down the opportunity to battle Rashad Evans instead? Or both? And just for the record, Machida had to win six fights, not two, to earn a crack at championship glory.

http://mmamania.com/2009/07/27/ufc-quic ... o-machida/
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I can see why he would say this but who else is there besides Rampage and Evans who were filming TUF and are already fighting?

You pretty much nailed it; Shogun is simply in the right place at the right time. The UFC wants to keep Machida in the spotlight, and Shogun is the only viable contender to challenge him at the moment. In addition, Shogun TKO'd Chuck Liddell, which seems to carry (see Rashad Evans) heavy weight within the UFC's ranking system nowadays.

Some would say Anderson has no room to judge, because he only beat one guy before getting a crack at the Middleweight title. However, this is a complete case of apples and oranges; Anderson was at the top of his game at the time, and not only handed Chris Leben his first loss in the UFC, but made him look like a complete rookie in the process. People can say what they want about Chris Leben, but he was on a 5-fight winning streak... and then Anderson came in and destroyed him in one of the most memorable debuts in UFC history.

Either way, Machida will beat Shogun. Probably by KO.

Well. its pretty obvious why this fight is happening.

Its a great fight that will sell a lot of PPV and its an interesting fight and also, Machida will probably win anyways hehe

Then that Shogun fought less isnt true because he has fought in Pride that was bought by UFC and the belts unified so he has fought a lot of fights to get where he is, just like machida or Silva. Then that he hasnt won that much in the UFC cage doesnt make it a less intertesting matchup

Thx for update jamal

Maybe so, but we all have horrible memories of Shogun vs. Coleman II.

Im looking forward to this matchup, i think Shogun has the tools to win but he needs the old Shogun intensity to do it

Shogun vs Coleman II was dissapointing and almost embarrasing at the time, but after Colemans hard performance against Bonnar its more understandable that Shogun had problems with him, coming back from an injury as he was, first time in UFC with the pressure and the changes in place to live and all that stuff he actually won and in the fight against Chuck he did look a lot better.

I agree that this is going to be a great fight, but I cant see how Shogun ever will defeat Machida.

But in this sport everything and anything can happen, we all know that

How did Coleman beat Bonnar, man im still shit canned on how he did that.

No one saw it coming, thats one tough SOB

Coleman has been a tough dude his whole life, and he proved if you take him lightly he will kick your ass.

As for Shogun, he has been FAR LESS impressive than Coleman, considering Coleman is 20 years older than he is.

But Shogun WAS kicking ass and taking names before, so maybe he got his cardio back. If so, he will be very dangerous in the ring.