Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Chuck Liddell, indicated that his next opponent could be former Pride FC standout, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, in a recent interview with SportsIllustrated.com.
Here's the snip:
"Possibly Mauricia "Shogun" Hua. 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. Too far. (Liddell is based in San Luis Obispo, Calif.)"
Up until this point, Liddell had been doing everything but sending out smoke signals that he was looking to rematch Keith Jardine next. That's because "The Dean of Mean" upset the "Iceman" at UFC 76: "Knockout" in September 2007.
Now it appears things could have changed.
Shogun lost his Octagon debut to Forrest Griffin via submission (rear naked choke) the same evening Jardine defeated Liddell. The Brazilian underwent knee surgery immediately following the loss and has not competed since.
Liddell is fresh of a thrilling three-round victorious brawl with Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79: "Nemesis" last December. It's widely believed that if he can win his next fight he'll take on the winner of the fight between UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Rampage Jackson, and Forrest Griffin later on this year.
If Liddell and Shogun do indeed fight it would pit two of the top 205-pound fighters in the world up against on another.
Stay tuned for more details.
Note: Rua's camp confirmed via FightNetwork.com that he will not be competing on the UFC 83 fight card on April 19 in Montreal, Canada, as previously rumored.