Coming off a devastating KO victory over James Te-Huna in last December, in UFC Fight Night 33, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua credits his better conditioning to his new camp in Sao Paulo. The former UFC Light Heavyweight champion told br.ufc.com what was missing in his training in Curitiba before he left to unit forces with Demian Maia.
I have always been with great coaches, but I lacked motivation. With the training here in São Paulo my motivation raised again because I’m just another fighter. In Curitiba, the coaches were hired by me and they were focusing only on me. Now, here in São Paulo, I have good athletes that help me like Demian Maia and Daniel Sarafian.
Shogun will have a rematch with Dan Henderson this Sunday May 23rd at UFC Fight Night Shogun vs. Henderson 2.
I’m feeling better this time because I know very well his style of fighting. It’s easier now to impose my rhythm of fight. I will always look for the KO whether I’m winning or not. If I have de opportunity, I will knock him out in the first round.
The unanimous decision victory of Hendo over Shogun, in the main event of the UFC 139, was awarded the “Fight of the Year” of 2011 by World MMA Awards.