Former UFC light heavyweight champion “Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will join the ranks of the hall of fame later this year.
Rua was tabbed for the UFC Hall of Fame during the UFC 301 broadcast from Brazil. He becomes the latest member of the “Pioneer Era” wing.
“Shogun Rua is one of the greatest Brazilian athletes in combat sports history,” UFC president and CEO Dana White said. “Shogun had an incredible run in PRIDE and UFC, and he was fearless inside the Octagon. His fights against Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida, and Dan Henderson represent some of the most memorable moments in UFC history and helped put Brazilian MMA on the map.
“It will be an honor to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer during International Fight Week.”
The event takes place Thursday, June 27 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It will stream live on UFC Fight Pass.
Shogun Rua Blazed A Trail During His Career
Over two-plus decades of fighting, Rua met – and defeated – some of the greatest of all-time. His list of wins includes Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida and Alistair Overeem.
Rua made his mainstream debut with PRIDE FC where he would defeat Overeem to win the middleweight grand prix. His UFC debut came in 2007 as he faced Griffin.
In 2009, Rua avenged a loss to Coleman and topped Liddell to earn his shot at then-champion Machida. At UFC 104 later that year, he lost to Machida in a close decision.
A rematch was ordered and Rua won the title at UFC 113 when he handed Machida his first career loss.
Rua holds a number of records with Zuffa, UFC and PRIDE:
UFC:
- Most fights in UFC light heavyweight history – 24
- Tied for most knockdowns in UFC light heavyweight history – 14
- Second-most knockouts in UFC light heavyweight history – 8
- Third-most knockouts in Zuffa history (UFC / PRIDE / WEC / SF) – 17
- Fifth-most finishes in Zuffa history (UFC / PRIDE / WEC / SF) – 18
PRIDE:
- Tied for most knockouts by soccer kicks/stomps in PRIDE history – 4
