Mark Coleman discusses possible rematch with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua by John Morgan on Jul 25, 2008 at 11:30 pm ET This content is protected MMA legend Mark Coleman (15-8 MMA, 6-3 UFC) has been pursuing a comeback in the organization that made him famous ever since he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame at UFC 82 in March. While Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (16-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has made recent headlines by declaring his interest in a second match with "The Hammer," Coleman told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he "wasn't aware of any of these rumors." Rua recently told Tatame that he believed the match-up would happen. "I might face Coleman [in] December, but nothing has been signed yet," Rua said. "He wanted to face me [in] November, and I really want to face him." Rua went on to claim Coleman has avoided the rematch several times since the original 2006 bout held at PRIDE 31. In that fight, a takedown by Coleman and the resulting fall caused Rua to break his arm, ending the bout in just 49 seconds. "I hope this time he doesn't run from me," Rua said. "He said no to me a couple of times, but I believe now it will happen." Coleman said the claims are baseless. "I really haven't put much thought to Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua lately," Coleman said. "I have no clue what he's talking about claiming I ducked him. If he really needs to stir something up, I really don't give a [expletive]. He can stir something up." Coleman also said that he never requested a bout with Rua in November, as choosing opponents was the promoter's job, not his. "I've never picked my opponents since the beginning," Coleman said. "I don't go around picking my opponents. I let the promoter do that. Whoever the promoter picks, that's obviously who the fans want to see." With the fans in mind, Coleman said he would be happy to face the Brazilian if UFC matchmaker Joe Silva deems it necessary. "If [a fight with Rua] is something that interests the fans, if that's something that the UFC wants to make happen, I don't go around turning down fights," Coleman said. "'Shogun' is fine." Coleman was originally slated to face Brock Lesnar next month at UFC 87, but his comeback was delayed due to a knee injury. He said the knee is now "close to 100 percent" and that he's anxious to return before year's end. While open to the bout with Rua, Coleman doesn't feel it's a priority and instead has bigger fish to fry. "As far as 'Shogun' being on the top of my list, he's not," Coleman said. "I have no reason to want to fight his ass. I already fought him and beat him. ... As far as him indicating the fact that I've ducked him, that's wishful thinking on his part."
It would have to be a one off surely. Shogun isnt a heavyweight. I guess he just wants pay back for there first bout.
After the Lesnar/Mir fight, Coleman commented that he was going to move down to 205, and that seeing Lesnar had convinced him that the modern heaveyweights were 'too big, and they've got skills', or something like that.
I heard Coleman say this too. I highloy doubt at his age his going to want to make 205lbs. If his making that weight its only because his come of hormones. Either way thats bad news for him on all counts.
Would it "not count" in a street fight if one man was taken down, broke his arm in the process of being taken down, and then got his face bashed in? If the ref wasn't there to save Rua... imagine the brutal beating he would have taken. When a world Class wrestler takes you down... it isn't an accident if you get hurt. It's like be mowed down and sucked under a train. Broken arms due to posting on a fall don't happen all that much in the higher level of MMA, but that doesn't make it a cheap victory if it does happen. Taking a fall properly is just as important as being able to properly defend a submission. You aren't supposed to post your arms in that manner when you are being taken down. The fact that it snapped his arm in that manner just goes to show the force at which Coleman was taking him down. Mark was clearly hiking up Shogun's back end and forcing his upperbody to hit hard. It's all a part of the fight game.
