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Monday, Nov 10, 2014

UFC’s “Shogun” Rua to Consider “Weight Class Change” After Latest Loss

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

By FCF Staff

Many observers have questioned whether Mauricio “Shogun” Rua should move to middleweight recently, and following his latest defeat at UFC Fight Night 56, it looks like the light-heavyweight’s ready to consider it.

Rua was stopped by Ovince St. Preux in just 34 seconds on Saturday night, in what was the former champ’s fourth defeat in five fights. Following the loss, Rua said he was going to review the defeat with his team, and on Monday, he posted a lengthy statement on his Facebook page.

The 32 year-old thanked his fans for their support, before adding:

Losing is always very bad, hurts a lot, but what’s hurting more is to lose without being able to show what I trained, and what I know. Fighting is fighting, and I know very well that in this weight class any punch that connects early on can cost a huge price. For many times in my career I was in the happy side and unfortunately this time I faced the sad side of this story. I know a lot of people will unload harsh words, some will make constructive criticism and others will take the chance to throw all sorts of jokes and offensive words as possible. Unfortunately this is all part of being in the spotlights, and it’s something that we as professional athletes, and mostly in Brazil, have to be always used to deal with.

As much as some will doubt it, I prepared myself a lot for this fight and was well trained, and this is what hurts the most about losing this way, without being able to show what I trained. Those who followed it, trained with me, or saw some of my training knows this. When you lose fighting some rounds, or even some minutes, in some ways it’s less of a suffering cause you were able to show what you got and what you prepared, and it wasn’t enough. But losing this way it’s certainly very frustrating.

I made a techincal mistake, maybe due to anxiety and a big will to get this win in Brazil in such an important moment of my career, and I paid the price. Props to St. Preux, It’s part of the game and he deserved the win.

Now I will rest, enjoy my family and then think about my next steps, TUF Brazil, maybe a weight class change, but I’ll keep on going cause winning is easy, but keep on battling and overcome the obstacles is what makes a true fighter. Thank you all for the support.

In the past, Rua has relayed concerns about his ability to cut to 185, but it looks like this latest setback has prompted him to reconsider.

The 32 year-old fighter was coming off a stoppage loss to Dan Henderson before he faced St. Preux on November 8th.

 

posted by FCF Staff @ 1:15 pm
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