Although his team said he would be moving to the Middleweight division after a tough loss to Ovince St. Preux, MMA legend Mauricio “Shogun” Rua could be sticking around the Light Heavyweight division for one more big fight.
Shogun, who recently coached “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4” alongside fellow Brazilian MMA legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, told the media in Brazil that he could stay in the 205-pound class for a long-anticipated rematch with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
While the date has yet to be confirmed for the TUF: Brazil 4 finale, where Shogun could potentially fight the smaller Nogueira brother, it’s believed that the event will take place on June 27th.
“I don’t know about (dropping to 185 pounds) because I might fight with ‘Minotouro’ next,” Rua said on Wednesday. “I leave that decision with my coaches and my manager. They will make the call. Whatever they do, I’m happy.”
Rua continued, “People are talking about it, but I respect both Rodrigo and Rogerio and the UFC hasn’t talked about it with me or my manager. I admire them, but I would fight (Rogerio), yes. I’m a professional, but there’s nothing set yet.”
Nogueira, too, expects to rematch Shogun at the TUF: Brazil 4 finale in June.
“Fighting ‘Shogun’ at the TUF Finale event is a possibility, and we’re waiting,” said Nogueira. “It’s up to Dana White to get this fight done, and I’m waiting.”
