MMA Coverage

Former Pride fighter Mauricio “Shogun” Rua lost the first fight of his Ultimate Fighting Championship career Saturday night, submitting to Forrest Griffin in a stunning upset at UFC 76.

Rua, whom many MMA fans considered the best light heavyweight in the world, entered the Octagon first, which is usually the role of the underdog. But having Griffin enter the Octagon second was a nod to his popularity as the first Ultimate Fighter winner. Just about everyone expected Rua to win, and most people expected Rua to win easily.

Tags: Forrest Griffin, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, UFC 76 by MMACoverage
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To the average person Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is not the second coming of Michael Jordan, he is not worthy of being welcomed by paparazzi at the airport like David Beckham, nor is he the icon that fellow Brazilian Pele is to soccer, but to hardcore mixed martial arts fans, Rua is all those celebrities combined and more.On Saturday at UFC 76: Knockout at Honda Center, Rua – best known simply as “Shogun” – will make his UFC debut, and only his fifth bout in the U.S., when he faces the fan-friendly Forrest Griffin in a light heavyweight showdown.

Tags: Mauricio "Shogun" Rua by MMACoverage
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