Shogun to Face Griffin at UFC 76

So, it looks like Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (16-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is going to make his UFC debut by facing off against the very likeable Forrest Griffin (14-4, 5-2 UFC). Mauricio "Shogun" Rua was originally thought to go up against Lyoto Machida, who is undefeated in the Octagon, at UFC 76 set for September.

Reports from both Tatame.com and TaggRadio.com are the sources making this latest claim. Originally, UFC President Dana White on ESPN said that Shogun and Machida were supposed to go head to head in Anaheim, California. But, according to Tatame.com “Master Rudimar Fedrigo confirmed us that Mauricio Shogun will face Forrest Griffin at UFC 76, that is schedule for September 22 ….” Fedrigo is the founder of the marvelous Chute Boxe Academy in Brazil, from which Wanderlei Silva, Murilo Ninja, and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua all hail from.

Before you get your panties up in a bunch this is likely to be another silly rumor of the UFC. You know how they roll.

UFC 76 will take place of September 22 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The world's most pointless, garbage main event with Chuck Liddell versus Keith Jardine is also scheduled to take place on the card.

For those new to the MMA community, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua is a Brazilian fighter who comes out of the Chute Boxe Academy. Rua won the PRIDE Fighting Championships' 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix and holds impressive wins over Ricardo Arona, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (not to be confused with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira), Alistair OVereem and a complete annihilation of current UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson. Rua is known for his nonstop aggressive style of fighting and his ability to keep constant pressure and offense on his opponents. Rua is currently ranked as the number one light heavyweight in the world in numerous big MMA sites around the net.

Rua currently holds 16 wins, 13 by way of KO, and 2 losses. Rua's only losses are to Mark Coleman by a stoppage due to a freak accident leading to a broken arm and a loss to Renato Sobral back in 2003 by a guilotine choke.

Rua's rumored opponent Forrest Griffin is the first-season winner of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter. Griffin nearly beat former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz at UFC 59. Griffin also suffered a devastating TKO loss to Keith Jardine at UFC 66 but only to bounce back with a win over Hector Ramirez very recently on June 16, 2007 at UFC 72: Victory.

Griffin's most notable fights were against Tito Ortiz, Stephan Bonnar 1, Jeremy Horn, and Jeff Monson.

I'm a bit indifferent about the opponent pick for Shogun, however I'm just head over heels about Shogun's debut in the UFC. I hope he doesn't come in over confident like many of the PRIDE fighters have and puts on a mind-blowing performance. I think this fight will bring a lot of attention to Shogun from the American fans considering that Griffin is a huge "star" to many fans and seen as a tough opponent.

The Lianger