Mauricio “Shogun” Rua wants to get things done quickly against Jimi Manuwa in their bout at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Manuwa, on November 8. Interviewed by Combate.com, the former UFC Light Heavyweight champion said that the fans will enjoy his next fight and agreed with his manager Eduardo Alonso about being two bouts away from a new title shot, although his main focus right now is only on winning in Uberlandia.
“I think so. But I’m not thinking about title shot right now. My attention is fully turned to Jimi Manuwa. What comes after that will be a consequence. Both of us are always seeking the KO. That is my strength. The sooner the better. Striking fans will likely enjoy the fight.”
According to Alonso in an interview for Combate.com, Shogun’s history is an asset in a possible new title run.
“What I always say is that Shogun is always two fights away from a title shot. No matter what happens, he won maybe the biggest Pride Grand Prix, is a former UFC champion and fans love his style. I say this potentially. Everything depends on the circumstances, the fighters’ injuries, the calendar, the champion being active, so there are a lot of subjective aspects. But he would do at most three fights before a title shot. However, we can’t think about it right now because he has a bout coming.”
Alonso also said that Shogun dropping to 185-division is a possibility but not any time soon.
“We discussed with the UFC about Shogun fighting in a catchweight, so he could feel how his body reacts before studying a division change. But not for now. He’s doing fine at 205. He’s physically stronger now than he was two fights ago.”