Shogun Rua is undoubtedly a future UFC Hall of Famer. The former UFC middleweight champion has had a storied career, racking up over wins over marquee names such as Lyoto Machida, Forrest Griffin and Chuck Liddell. However, with his losses mounting up and the prospect of fighting Ovince St Preux next, could the Shogun era finally be drawing to a close?
After establishing himself as an elite martial artist by becoming the Pride light heavyweight champion, Shogun signed for the UFC. The Brazilian solidified himself as an MMA superstar by claiming the UFC middleweight belt with an outstanding KO win over Lyoto 'The Dragon' Machida in 2010.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IczuHKOz0A
He lost the belt in his next fight, but in his defence he it was against arguably the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the promotion. Jon 'Bones' Jones has gone on to demolish everyone the UFC has put in front of him since then. In comparison, Rua has won just three of his seven bouts since the Jones loss.
Shogun's last loss came courtesy of a Dan Henderson 'H-bomb haymaker' in Brazil in March. Rua was comprehensively out-striking Hendo on the feet and looked poised on avenging losing 2011's fight of the year. However, he fell victim to the American's devastating right-hook that ended the contest prematurely. After Henderson's cinder-block right-hook dropped him, a large portion of the MMA community began reluctantly calling for Shogun to hang up his gloves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIPfEe0rrZI
Shogun faces a difficult task of squaring off with Ovince St Preux in the main event at UFC Fight Night 56. While the wrestler doesn't pack quite as much punch as Henderson, he possesses one-punch knockout power and has an outstanding ground game.
Despite being just 32, Shogun has shown the laboured movement of a much older man in his recent bouts. 13 years in the sport and two all-out-wars with Dan Henderson will have that effect. If his last loss was evidence of his chin deteriorating then OSP could be the perfect opponent to deliver the coup de grace that ends his UFC career.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnrOkS419J0
A win for Shogun won't do a lot to progress his standings in the division bar keeping him treading water as a gatekeeper at 205 lb. It appears as if Shogun's era is coming to an end. Not even the most delusional Shogun fan can argue that his best year's aren't behind him. The only question remains, how much does he have left to give?
The main card for UFC Fight Night 56: Shogun vs St Preux kicks off from 3:30 am on November 8.
