Get ready for Japan’s biggest rematch since Yuko Matsumiya out-winded Atsushi Fujita at last year’s 61st annual Fukuoka Marathon, which ironically, was the inspiration for the name of the UFC’s buyout of PRIDE now known as Fukuova.
“It was a business decision to kill PRIDE,” according to UFC President Dana White in a recent interview.
But if comments made by Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (16-3) at a recent training seminar are any indication, PRIDE may in fact live again.
At least for one night in December.
Rua, winner of the PRIDE 2005 middleweight grand prix, informed a very unsuspecting but grateful crowd that he was indeed anticipating a December return and hopeful that his opponent would be former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (28-7) — not Mark Coleman as previously reported.
The same Quinton Jackson who was knocked out in devastating fashion by Rua at PRIDE Total Elimination 2005.
Or perhaps it isn’t the same Quinton Jackson, which is why the prospect of a rematch has so many fans buzzing, despite the fact that negotiations are still in their infancy.
After all, a lot has happened in three years.
Rampage would be victorious in his next six fights following the Rua defeat, including wins over top ten fighters Matt Lindland, Chuck Liddell and Dan Henderson.
Some fans would call it seven straight, overlooking the questionable judging in his decision loss to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86.
In spite of that loss, it’s not outrageous to call Jackson a more evolved and complete fighter than the free-swinging showman from 2005.
And still one of the world’s best at 205 lbs.
But that claim may not hold water for Rua, also a victim of the spoiler Griffin. Not only was Shogun defeated, he was outworked and eventually submitted by the TUF alum in an uninspiring debut at UFC 76 that left many wondering what happened to the Shogun of old.
The Shogun that went 16-2 in PRIDE with 13 (T)KO’s to his credit.
After the loss, Rua was slated to face Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell at UFC 85 until a torn ACL sidelined the Brazilian for several months.
Now the former Chute Box pillar will get another crack at victory in the UFC if both sides are able to come together. Assuming that each combatant remains healthy, the only possible roadblock would be Jackson’s potential legal repercussions stemming from his recent brush with the law.
Hopefully that situation resolves itself without impacting Jackson’s career. This fight would not only be exciting, but it would also go a long way in re-establishing the credibility of Rua for newer fans.
Shogun may have a record that speaks for itself, but he still has a lot to prove in the eyes of many UFC fans – namely that he’ll be able to make the transition from the ring to the Octagon.
Something fellow PRIDE import Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic never could.
71 Comments »
The rematch is going to be great.
WAR PAGE!!!
As much as I love to see match ups between 2 top fighters. I really hate to see either of these fighters loose. They are 2 of my favorite fighters and I root for both of them.
I have no idea who to pick in this one. tHese are 2 top 5 LHW’s and when u match them up, anything can happen! 1 thing I am sure of is it will be a much tougher fight for shogun then there 1st meeting in 2005.
Which ever fighter wins this fight, will be really tough to stop! I see the winner of this fight going on a huge winning streak and eventually taking the title! Should be a great fight. I still think both shogun and Rampage have the ability to become dominant even in a stacked division like 205….Its just up to them to go out and do it!
Determining factors to this fight:
Rampage:
Where is his head going to be? / What will his mental status be?
Is he training hard at his new camp?
And is he listening to his trainers?
Rua:
Is he in shape or is he fat and will winded after 4 minutes?
Has Shogun gotten the classic Shogun aggression back?
I would love to be able to take some peaks at their training and talk to them each. Because I think that I’d be able to tell you is going to win the fight if I had answers to those above questions – which can be found be watching them train and talking with them…
JOHN, what do you think the odds to this fight would open at? I got Rampage as the favorite here in America. The question is, how much of a favorite? Perhaps
Rampage: -145
Shogun: +115
yeah, In America, Rampage will be the favorite. THe odds u listed seem about right. ViolentMike, u are a magician at predicting the opening fight odds.
I would bet the dog. Shogun is a world calss fighter. Although he fought on 1 leg against Forrest, he had t o have been embaressed by his performance so I dont think he would even take a fight against Rampage unless he was back to his old self….This makes for some bad news for Rampage. Dont know who will win this fight but right now, I am leaning toward Shogun (but I will change my mind 100 times by the time they actually fight).
Also, I wont be surprised if Rampage enmds up back with Juanito. Juanito was cornering Kongo at UFC 87 and all u heard through out the fight was Rampage yelling instructions to his friend, Kongo. Can u say Awkward? At some point during the event I am sure that Rampage and Juanito bumped into each other. I really think that Juanito really cares about Rampage and I wont be surprised to see Juanito back in his corner for a revenge fight against Shogun!
Hope he stays off the “energy drinks” while fasting after this loss.
this is a great match up, but bad timing a loss for either one will really set them back, shogun should take a warm up fight and rampage could use a win right know too and i don’t think he will get it vs shogun but at this point either one could lose
I think Rampage stands less to lose here, he has already had the chance to build his face and has a great set of fans who support him through thick and thin (which has been proven by recent events). Rua on the other hand is known well to hardcore fans but like Cro Cop if he has two crappy displays (injury or not), the US fans won’t want to welcome him back a third time althouh that’d be sad. I see Rua coming into this completely revamped which I really hope. After recent events I don’t want to see Rampage fight for awhile, I’d rather him get all of this stuff with the popo and that lady taken care of so there is no question where his mind is at. The guy is a good guy and made a mistake and I don’t want to see it affect his in cage action. I think it actually would have been better to have Rua and Wandy go at it and let Rampage sit on the side lines until Chuck kills Forrest. Then Rampage could get a rematch with Forrest and we could see some good 5 round action for the title between the true LHW champions. No offense to Forrest cause I love the guy but how does he think he’ll be keeping that belt knowing he’ll be going 5 rounds with Chuck, Rua, Rampage, or Wandy? (by the way I called the Forrest upset so don’t think I’ve completely counted Forrest out)
“Some fans would call it seven straight, overlooking the questionable judging in his decision loss to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86.”—– Just let it go already. Forrest won.
Rampage will Kill Shogun.
Rampage is back baby, Time for people to get Nervous agian. Rua hasn’t impressed me latley at all, and has been layed off for a while, Rampage is in the game agian and his hungary to get his title back, with the new camp, people better watch out. Top 2 Guys are Griffin and Page, Im a huge griffin fan, and Said that he would beqat page, and that people arn’t respecting him and he did. I think page would lose to him agian, But will deff be number 2, after Rua Liddel needs to Get retired by page, if he can even get past Evens.
I am just curious to see how Rampage can recover from such a mental breakdown. Not to mention that the 2 names that have been tossed around as possible opponents (Wandy and Shogun) have the advantage of knowing that they knocked him out in their past fights.
I don”t see Rua knocking him out agian, But wandy is a different story.
I see shogun cleaning the house at 205, seriously, there were a lot of factors that went into the fight with griffin but I’m not going to go down that road again. Just wait and see LOL… Although I much rather have shogun fighting page when page has a couple of wins, because when he beats the soul out of page ppl will say it was because of his mental state (which I agree that it could play a factor still).
lInx: there is no mental factor. He isnt suffering from biopolar, or depression or anything like that. He simply temporarily lost his mind frm staying up for days at a time, not eating and only drinking energy drinks. I really
think the mental aspect is overblown….only thing that could bother Page mentally is the thought of the beatdown Shogun gave him back in 05 or the law suite (assuming it comes).
linx: Rampage will be one of shogun’s toughest test. if Shogun can beat Rampage then he will probably clear out the entire LHW division. shogun is that good and well rounded.
i am actually conflicted about this fight. As a fan of bigtime mma fights, of course I want to see a rematch. but Page and Shogun are 2 of my favorite fighters and I really dont like watching either loose. Still, I definetly wont oppose a rematch! Anytime 2 top fighters are matched up…..WORKS FOR ME!
please post my response. It 7:00 am, how busy could u possibly be?
Thank you@
Linx: I can not disagree!
Great Point Linx.
me too John! this will be a great fight none the less.
And as far as the UFC goes, of course they are going to play down the whole situation and do whatever they can to make it not seem like a big deal. Rampage was one of their most marketed fighters at the time, and he’s good friends with Dana. They are doing everything possible to protect Rampage and his image.
And in turn, John, I think you are playing down the Rampage mental situation as well. Several days before and weeks after the incident, Rampage was still “mental”…
I hope for the best, but you always got to consider the worst. I have a semi-related post I did a few minutes ago up top, but it hasn’t appeared yet… Please reply to that one!
I know that Dana and the UFC will down play the whole incident. But I really believe that he was just delirious.
How can he be allowed back to fight so soon after the incident if he still had mental problems. I really dont think that they will be an issue!
Even 100% mentally sound and on top of his game, a fight against Shogun will be Rampage’s toughest UFC test. I really hate to see either guy loose!
John, I see your point in regards to the “mental breakdown” argument. All though, I do wish the UFC or Rampage would have a more formal response. I think it would at least give some finality to MMA fans. I know a civil case may be pending, but I would love to see Rampage give a coherent explanation to what really happened. (not on Dana’s video blog 47). I want to know for sure that this was a one time incident. If so, I do think he will be back strong and will give Rua another loss.
not only a response Jrandolph, but an apology is also needed!
Chase your crazy if you think the top two guys are Forrest and Rampage, I would put them in the top 5 and Rampage depending on who is arranging them could easily be number 1 or 2 but Forrest has a lot to prove still. He’s got a lot of heart though and I respect him for the great fights he gives the fans. I too predicted his win of Rampage but only because Rampage was not respecting him. I don’t see that as a factor as now everyone knows he’s a guy to be respected.
I also agree that Rampage should at some point issue an apology to his fans, family, people affected in the incident and to the UFC for acts that already seem to have been forgiven. Delirium is no excuse when it has been self imposed however a respectable apology goes a long way with me and I think it would show he truly does care instead of how they show him carefree on the blogs. With all of this going on I thought Wandy was fighting on the New Years card, if there was somebody named I have not seen it. There are so many big fights winding up on the New Years eve card they should decide to broadcast the lower cards free on Spike with a title defense included and feature the rest on PPV. maybe I’m crazy but that’d be one great present for the fans.
God I hope this happens at ufc 92
this loser says hes gonna fight a new guy every week, make up ur mind dude..
lol…nice
jesse, why the hate on for forrest? that fight is over dude man up and get over it
I hope they don’t fight each other…at least right now. I don’t want to see either of them lose. Then again, everyone else seems to be getting booked other than wanderlei. Maybe Anderson Silva?
Again I’ve Posted this severl tmes but positive feed back none.
Whta about A.Silva Vs Wandi At 205 what is wrong with that.
They are freinds, and said they wouldn’t fight each other.
Chase, I’m quite sure wandy and the spider would fight each other.
Oh, they’d fight! At UFC 90 Anderson is fighting Cote which would leave him no time to fight Wanderlei in December.
Oh no, I don’t mean they would fight this year, I’m just saying hypothetically that they wouldn’t have a problem fighting each other, Chase said they would because they are friends.
Cause it wouldnt be til next year dude, there is a ton of stuff to talk about thats actually gonna happen within the next 5 months so put your dream match ups aside and enjoy the fights coming up. BJ BJ BJ!!!
As much as I want to see this match, I don’t think it would be a great idea for rampage. He should settle his battles outside of the cage 1rst and then clear his head. RAMPAGE at 100% is dangerous and almost unstoppable. He is one of my favorite fighters, and I want him crush Rua.
Does anyone know who Rampage trains with now?
If Rua doesnt do something about that cardio then this fight is over bef0re it even starts.
Wow, this card is going to be sick. Especially if they add Wanderlei, too. I’m guessing Wanderlei’s next fight will be against Sokoudjou if he beats Cane.
This will easily be the card of the year if all of these fights come together.
Seriously if these fights keep getting put to the side because some of these guys are friends then why the hell are the ufc signing them?!! In a world where training camps are gony have 2/3 guys who fight in the same division and at a similiar level, they are gony have to fight to see who is truly the best. if it comes down to friends then thats 4 top fighters (atleast) that wont meet, A silva/ W Silva/ machida/ shogun!! Thats bullshit!!
it seems to me that its mainly the brazilian camps as it doesnt seem to cause too much problem else where! in other organisations they look at brothers fighting, not that id want to see that, but the sport demands the best fights as do the fans, if they wont fight each other then something has to be done!! They can shake hands after the bell like everybody else!! Otherwise we will never know who is the best, it will become a joke!! What do you guys think?
Mo, I think you believe too much in ppl talking out of their @$$ with no source to back up their statement. The only person wandy will not fight is shogun, and shogun has mentioned after his departure from chute boxe that he’ll fight wandy if they give him the fight, with business coming first and friendship apart. Machida and the spider will not fight each other because they are in the same CAMP! How would that go down? Would they train in different facilities so they don’t have to see each other on a daily bases? Not only that, but they are in DIFFERENT WEIGHT CLASSES! Paulo Filho and the spider will not fight each other. Again, because they are in the same camp! So you tell me, since you said only Brazilians do this, tell me which American fighters fought each other and were in the same camp at the time they fought? I can’t think of any. To this day I only remember two fighters from the same camp facing each other, and it was in Pride and they were Japanese.
I think you believe too much in ppl talking out of their @$$ with no source to back up their statement. The only person wandy will not fight is shogun, and shogun has mentioned after his departure from chute boxe that he’ll fight wandy if they give him the fight, with business coming first and friendship apart. Machida and the spider will not fight each other because they are in the same CAMP! How would that go down? Would they train in different facilities so they don’t have to see each other on a daily bases? Not only that, but they are in DIFFERENT WEIGHT CL@$$ES! Paulo Filho and the spider will not fight each other. Again, because they are in the same camp! So you tell me, since you said only Brazilians do this, tell me which American fighters fought each other and were in the same camp at the time they fought? I can’t think of any. To this day I only remember two fighters from the same camp facing each other, and it was in Pride and they were Japanese.
Linx, there are actually 3 American fighters who won’t fight each other, Fitch, Koscheck and Swick. It is not just Brazilians. It is bascially any of the guys from the same camp. There is no need for them to fight unless 1 guy is a title holder and the other guy is the clear cut #1 contender. And I gaurentee of the opportunity presented itself and Dana said “here is your chance” no one in there right mind would pass up the opportunity to fight for a title, no one.
it really depends BNF, shogun was a clear #1 contender in Pride and wouldn’t fight wandy because they were from the same camp, so they kept giving wandy other strong fighters. the thing is, as long as there are other strong fighters that could take on the champ I agree there is no need to pressure someone from the same camp to fight the champ. If the champ looses than that #1 contender will finally have his opportunity. The thing is, as long as a division is strong (such as the LHW) there is no need to pressure two guys from the same camp to face each other, but if the division is very thin (as the case with the MW), than I agree, maybe it would be better to pressure someone from the same camp to challenge for the title.
they would fight eash other, i don’t think they would look for the fight but if it was needed they would fight, they where in the same tournment together and would have faced each other if wandy did not lose to arona who than fought shogun and lost.
I can’t ever remember that scenario happening in the UFC, so it would be interesting to see what would happen. For example, what happens if Anderson stays at 185 and the UFC obsorbs the WEC, what will Filho do in a division that is starving for a challenger? I personally don’t have a problem with training partners not fighting each other, but at a certain point I guess it is up to the individual weather they want to be a champ or not because the opportunity may never present itself again.
yeah, we got rumors a couple of days ago that the UFC would absorb the WEC’s LHW and MW divisions, so we might actually see that scenario unfolding. It will be interesting to see what is going to happen with filho (but he’s got his rematch coming up, he’ll need to get past that first and I do see him winning). I also don’t have a problem with two fighters from the same camp refusing to fight each other, but I think in the end of the day it would be just too awkward to face someone from the same camp, and to these guys that likes to train where they train and the relationship they have with these guys, sometimes a title might not be that worth. Not everything is about money and recognition, these ppl interact with each other on a daily bases.
Roy, sorry but you’re wrong. Both wandy and shogun said they would not fight each other if they ended up being the two finalists, and lil’ nog and arona said they would do a exhibition match of BJJ if they ended up being the two finalists.
and they still let them in the tournment, what would have happened the tournment is over when the match up?
Well, in the beginning of the tournament they just felt the chances for both of them being the two finalists were very small, but there is a conspiracy theory of ppl saying that they only gave the win to arona when he fought wandy the first time was so shogun could face him instead of there not being a final fight. I don’t believe the conspiracy theory though, but I thought wandy vs arona 1 was very close and could have gone either way.
yeah arona held him down but didn’t do much, i thought that they agreed to fight if they ended up the finalist, i would not even have let them both in the tournmemt if it where me and they said they would not fight.
Rua will come back in better shape than he did for the Griffin fight (meaning he will not gas) and tear up Rampage, again. Then everyone will make excuses on how Rampage is not ready and he has been through too much lately and isn’t 100% and a ton of other bullshit. I’m taking Shogun.
Heh, Forrest’s victims from his path to the LHW title fighting each other – I love it!
December could be the greatest card ever with:
GSP vs Penn
Wandi vs TBA
Rampage vs Shogun
Forrest vs Chuck/evans??
I doubt they’d do two title fights in a night but it is new years eve and I can dream can’t I? lol
They’ve done it before. Off the top of my head, I know they did it at UFC 65 when GSP beat Hughes and Sylvia beat Monson for the title.
Also UFC 73 had two title fights with Sherk and Anderson defending.
Don’t forget about Mir and Noguiera on the Card as well.
don’t forget Nog/Mir HW Championship
if they have this card in Vegas, I am so going! I don’t care how much they charge for tickets I am making this my first UFC event EVER as well as first trip to Vegas!!!
It wasn’t a route, but Forrest clearly beat Rampage.
I thought they totally forgot about Shogun. Hopefully ring rust won’t get the best of him until then.
“Some fans would call it seven straight, overlooking the questionable judging in his decision loss to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86.”
Some others actually count it at 3 state, givin the questionable judging in his decision win over Matt Lindland.
And Forrest clearly beat Rampage. Stop letting your bias get in the way of your better judgement.
3 straight* and given*
man, I can’t spell worth a crap today
this is going to be a great card. nog/mir, gsp/penn, and now this!!! i believe it would be a great way for Rampage to come back and prove himself. Shogun also needs to show who he is. there is soooo many UFC fans that don’t know too much about him. all they know is the forrest fight where he was just dominated the whole time. i say this one would be a great fight for this, already, great card!
i got nog, penn, and rampage as winnners..assuming that those fights will be scheduled
what you guys thinK?
I have no idea. If I were to guess, I’d say GSP has the edge over Penn, Nog has the edge over Mir (though I haven’t seen a lot of Mir’s fights) and Page vs Rua is anyone’s guess. If they’re both on their A game, it’ll be an awesome fight.
Very good match if true. Should be a war. I think Rampage takes this one though. Shogun hasn’t been impressive since the coleman incident. He got outboxed by nakamura so Rampage should win fairly easily. Quinton should be gettin an immediate rematch though in all honesty because of that questionable decision that made him drop his belt. But it’s all good cuz i get to see me boy Chuck KO forrest in December.
shogun vs. rampage fight in pride
I could be wrong but I think everytime jesse holland mentions the rampage griffin fight he always brings up how he thinks rampage won. Get over it. Like I said I’m not sure that it is always him it could be another writer too from this site but you guys are always bringing it up. Don’t get me wrong I love your articles and I think that you are one of the best mma sites out there (your actually my favorite one) but enough is enough.
True. It was a close fight, but close fights go either way, and the judges obviously don’t care who wins. This garbage about the champ should be clearly beaten to take the belt is stupid. It should be judged like every other fight. Forrest eaked it out. Page needs to earn his way back in. He can. He’s awesome.
I completely agree about how stupid it is to say to the champ has to be cleary beaten to win. And I also think forrest eaked out the win.
Shogun by Submission 2nd round