(Image from UFC Corporate Communications)
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is the newest addition to the UFC’s 2024 Hall of Fame class. On Saturday night, Rua had his moment of glory at UFC 301 in Rio, headlined by a flyweight title bout between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg.
Rua is a longtime pioneer in the sport of MMA and will take over the MMA division in Las Vegas in June. To be eligible, a fighter must have begun his professional career before November 17, 2000, be at least 35 years old, and have been away from MMA for one year. Rua, 42, fits all of these descriptions.
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Rua was one of the key fighters who left PRIDE FC and signed with the UFC when Zuffa acquired PRIDE FC in 2007. Rua quickly established himself as one of the best light heavyweights in the sport, eventually knocking out Chuck Liddell and then facing Lyoto Machida on the back. They fought back-to-back and defeated the then-champion by KO in their second match.
Rua was unable to successfully defend the light heavyweight title after winning it in May 2010, but was defeated by opponents such as Dan Henderson (x2), Chael Sonnen, Forrest Griffin, and John, to name a few. He was set to face some of the most prominent fighters in the history of the division, including Jones. .
UFC CEO Dana White said in a promotional statement that Rua's impact on the division will never be forgotten, despite losing in three of his last four Octagon appearances.
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“Shogun Rua is one of the greatest Brazilian athletes in the history of martial arts,” White said. “Shogun had great success in PRIDE and the UFC, and was fearless inside the Octagon.” His bouts with 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 did. We are honored to induct him into the UFC Hall of Fame during International Fight Week this summer. ”
Rua finished his career with 42 fights, 37 of them under the UFC/PRIDE umbrella, making him perhaps the last MMA fighter of the time to accomplish a similar feat.
The UFC HOF ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 27th and will be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass.
With his induction, Rua also becomes the 20th member of the UFC's Pioneer Era Wing, adding to an already extensive list of extraordinary accomplishments.
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