Prime Chuck knocks prime Shogun the **** out - styles make fights, and the UFC rules favor Chuck even more. Chuck could still lose if they fight now, though, because we don't really know how much he (or Shogun) has left. But prime-for-prime Chuck would take him out.
Shogun is good in the clinch, but his other striking is pure garbage. His takedowns also suck. Plus, Chuck is huge. So, yeah, Shogun isn't winning this fight. A few years ago, I might have said it was possible. But after watching Shogun get tooled by Forrest, I don't think he has a shot in hell. Chuck isn't going to pull a Rampage and eat knees in the clinch. And Shogun's punches suck. Therefore, I see no possible way he can win.
If Shogun fights like he didn't against Forrest (who also had an absolutely terrible shoulder injury that needed surgery for a while that he finally got after the fight) Shogun is going to get hurt. If Shogun at his absolute best shows up, he will still probably lose, Chuck is damn near impossible to takedown or even clinch, and Shogun loses a striking battle at a distance. If Chucks smart he mixes in takedowns and 15-30 seconds worth of gnp throughout the fight, his gnp is really damaging and his takedowns looked better than ever against silva.
I agree, at 26 he is clearly "shot" and "passed his prime" just like chuck was a few months ago and Rampage was another "shot" fighter before he managed to be one of the best fighters of the year.
atsch Shogun ain't 'shot' guys, holy ****. You can't be shot at age 26 especially since Shogun hasn't taken that much punishment. He didn't train hard for Forrest and rightfully got his ass beat, one bad night does not equal = shot.
Right now I cant see Rua surviving...but what the heck do I know.. next thing you know he throws that Capoiera kick and KOs Chuck except PENN and Silva..there arent any sure thing in MMA right now..Ill include GSP after he beats Serra
I dunno, I wanna see shogun next fight before i make my final judgement. He suits Liddell's style perfectly but I think he could pull it off.
Bull****, he still is a great fighter, but Chuck is a terrible ****ing match up. Anyone at 205 who Shogun can put on their back, he can beat. I still think he takes Forrest in a rematch. But Chuck is absolutely a nightmare for anyone who has to win on the ground at 205.
Dont know if shot is the word, but he got embarassed last fight, not just out conditioned but out skilled, out everythinged, and while hes looked good in the fights before that, he didnt look like guy who took out rampage, lil nog, overeem, and arona. I think he captured lightning in a bottle during that run and was absolutely perfect, but i just have a feeling that he will never live up to that level again.
http://www.dailymotion.com/search/shogun+/video/x45v81_universidade-da-luta-para-o-site-lu_sport Shogun looks out of shape in this recent video.
He just had major reconstructive surgery on his knee, so I doubt he's been training at all for a while.
The rumoured card is as follows: UFC: JUNE 14, 2008 IN LONDON Venue: O2 Arena in London, England -Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (#2 Light Heavyweight in the World)* vs. Chuck Liddell (#4 Light Heavyweight in the World)* -Marcus Davis (#10 Welterweight in the World)* vs. TBA -Brock Lesnar vs. TBA * Based on MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings Dana certainly seems intent on throwing money down the drain trying to crack the UK market. However I know that I'll certainly be making the journey down South to see Chuck/Shogun in person.
