One of the legendary fighters in MMA historical past will get his particular person shine this summer season when Mauricio Rua is inducted into the UFC Corridor of Fame.
With a spot within the struggle wing for his unimaginable 2011 battle with Dan Henderson at UFC 139 already secured, “Shogun” will now be individually inducted into the pioneer wing as a part of the Class of 2024 through the annual ceremony June 27 at Worldwide Struggle Week in Las Vegas.
“‘Shogun’ Rua is without doubt one of the biggest Brazilian athletes in fight sports activities historical past,” UFC CEO Dana White stated in an announcement. “‘Shogun’ had an unimaginable run in PRIDE and UFC, and he was fearless contained in the octagon. His fights towards Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida, and Dan Henderson characterize a few of the most memorable moments in UFC historical past and helped put Brazilian MMA on the map. It will likely be an honor to induct him into the UFC Corridor of Fame this summer season throughout Worldwide Struggle Week.”
After a dominant run below the now-defunct PRIDE FC banner that included changing into the 2005 grand prix champion at age 23, Rua (27-14-1 MMA, 11-12-1 UFC) made a extremely anticipated transfer to the UFC.
He slipped up in his octagon debut, succumbing to a third-round submission loss towards Forrest Griffin in September 2017. He would flip issues round, although, and win three of his subsequent 4 fights en path to claiming the UFC mild heavyweight title with a shocking knockout of Lyoto Machida at UFC 113 in Could 2010.
Rua was unable to efficiently defend his title as he bumped into the then-rising Jon Jones at UFC 128, who battered him to say the belt.
Though he by no means acquired again to the title, Rua would proceed preventing below the UFC banner for almost 12 extra years. He delivered plenty of thrilling battles and spectacular knockouts, from his battle with Henderson and rather more.
Rua, 42, retired from MMA competitors following a first-round TKO loss to Ihor Potieria at UFC 283 in January 2023, closing his profession on a three-fight dropping skid.
He joins the Corridor of Fame pioneer wing, which at the moment consists of Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell, Matt Hughes, Tito Ortiz, Pat Miletich, Bas Rutten, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Don Frye, Maurice Smith, Kazushi Sakuraba, Matt Serra, Wealthy Franklin, Kevin Randleman, Jens Pulver, Anderson Silva and Wanderlei Silva, who can also be a part of the 2024 class.
Rua’s induction completes the 2024 UFC Corridor of Fame class, which incorporates Silva (fashionable wing), former UFC light-weight champion Frankie Edgar (fashionable wing), former strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (fashionable wing), Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen from UFC 117 (struggle wing) and Beneil Dariush (group award).
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