[ad_1]
UFC 104: MACHIDA vs. SHOGUN took place on October 24, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Machida entered the Octagon with an undefeated 15-0 record that included victories over five future UFC Hall of Famers.
Rua and Machida competed evenly throughout the fight, with the champion absorbing more blows than in his previous 15 fights. The fight would go over five rounds and Machida would retain the title with a controversial unanimous decision.
Due to the controversy surrounding the decision, Rua was granted an immediate rematch for the UFC light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 113.
UFC113: MACHIDA vs. SHOGUN 2 took place on May 8, 2010 at the Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Rua took control of the fight from the opening bell, landing more strikes and kicks during the first round. With 1:38 left in the first, Rua landed a forehand that knocked the champion down. Rua immediately mounted Machida and landed several strikes to win the fight and decisively become the new UFC light heavyweight champion.
Rua would put his title on the line 10 months later against top contender Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 128: SHOGUN vs. JONES in March 2011. Rua would lose the title via third-round TKO.
Over the next 11 years, Rua would compete in the Octagon 18 times, facing top contenders in the light heavyweight division while delivering numerous fight of the night performances. His fights against James Te Huna, Antonio Rogerio Nogueria, Tyson Pedro and Dan Henderson earned him performance honors, with his UFC 139 war against Henderson entering the fighting wing of the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018.
He retired from competition following his loss to Ihor Potieria at UFC 283, which took place on January 21, 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Rua enters the UFC Hall of Fame with an impressive resume that includes:
CFU:
- 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 KOs in Zuffa history (UFC/PRIDE/WEC/SF) – 17
- Fifth most finishes in Zuffa history (UFC/PRIDE/WEC/SF) – 18
PRIDE:
- Tied for most football kick/stomp knockouts in PRIDE history – 4
Outside of the Octagon, Rua has won several awards during his career, receiving KO of the year distinctions in 2010 during the Fighters only World MMA Awards for his fight against Lyoto Machida at UFC 113. In 2005, he received Fight of the Year for his fight against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in PRIDE FC: Critical Countdown 2005.
Originally from Curitiba, Brazil, Rua began training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a member of the renowned Chute Boxe Academy. He also trained in wrestling and boxing when he was a teenager. He currently lives in Curitiba with his wife and children.
To view Rua’s UFC FIGHT PASS collection, please visit: https://ufcfightpass.com/playlist/20541
To view a complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details regarding the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOF. For more information, please visit UFC.com.
[ad_2]
