Shogun Rua kommer att möta Minotouro Nogueira på helgens UFC-gala. Det är ungefär tio år sedan de möttes sist och Shogun förväntar sig en lika vild rematch.
Mauricio ”Shogun” Rua mötte Antônio ”Minotouro” Nogueira på Pride Critical Countdown 2005. Det var en vild match med många slagutväxlingar. Det slutade med att Shogun tog hem segern på domslut. Nästan tio år senare kommer de mötas igen på helgens UFC-gala, UFC 190. Shogun hade följande att säga om returmötet:
I expect a tough fight, man. ‘Minotouro’ is a tough fighter, has a huge heart, so I expect another war, just like in our 2005 fight. He likes to strike and so do I, so a brawl is inevitable, right? I’ve been fighting for over 10 years, and so does he, so I’m sure we both will keep it standing. It’s MMA, but our best weapon is our striking game.”
Shogun har även flyttat till Kalifornien för att träna med sin forne tränare Rafael Cordeiro:
”What motivated me to train with Rafael is that he focuses more on muay thai, and that’s my best game. I trained more muay thai for this fight, and that’s what I love. He’s a MMA coach but he’s a muay thai expert. Master Rafael knows my game and he trains what I do best, muay thai. I train happier with him.”
Minotouro förlorade den första matchen men förväntar sig en underhållande match och att han vinner returmötet:
”That’s what we hope for. Fans loved that fight so they expect this to be as exciting. I trained really hard to put on a great show for the fans. I was more focused on my boxing at that time, and he worked better in the clinch. He surprised me a lot, he was stronger. My takedown defense has evolved a lot, though. I worked hard on my wrestling, jiu-jitsu and muay thai for this fight.”
”I’m confident, and I believe the fight could be a little different this time. I’m stronger, heavier than when we fought the first time. I weighed 213 pounds at that time, and I weighed 227 pounds when I started my camp — and I believe I will weigh 227 pounds on fight night. I will be stronger to fight him in the clinch.”
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