The 2005 Pride FC Middleweight Grand Prix winner, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, earlier this week did indeed sign a bout agreement to challenge UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida, which will more than likely take place at UFC 104 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 24.
SuperLutas.com.br was able to confirm the rumored match up with sources close to the Brazilian’s camp.
Rua is coming off a first round technical knockout of former 205-pound champion, Chuck Liddell, at UFC 97: “Redemption” last month. He defeated Mark Coleman via third round technical knockout in a lackluster performance earlier this year at UFC 93: “Franklin vs. Henderson” to earn a crack at the “Iceman.”
It’s perhaps not the match up that most fans expected, especially when UFC President Dana White revealed over the weekend that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson would be the first to challenge Machida for his newly-won world title. But that all went out the window a few days later when Jackson apparently pressed UFC officials to settle a score with Rashad Evans via The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 first rather than compete to get his belt back.
That left Machida — who flattened Evans at UFC 98 to win the belt — all of a sudden without a number one contender … until now.
Keep in mind that White did not announce the bout yesterday during a media conference call because he indicated that not all bout agreements were finalized. That more than likely means Machida — who is currently celebrating his big win on a beach near Belem — may still have to agree to the fight and formalize it with a signature.
After more than three years of fighting outside the promotion, former UFC welterweight number one contender and ex-Icon Sport middleweight champion, Frank Trigg, has been invited back to the UFC for another run at 170-pound glory.
The UFC made the announcement earlier today on its official Web site.
“Twinkle Toes” (19-6) is perhaps best known to UFC fans for his two defeats at the hands of former division champion Matt Hughes — both by rear naked choke. First at UFC 45 and then again at UFC 52.
What made his second loss to Hughes so memorable was the gritty and improbable comeback by then-champion Hughes after Trigg delivered an unintentional low blow.
The former University of Oklahoma wrestler attempted to rebound at UFC 54 against Georges St. Pierre, but met a similar fate at the hands of the current champ after being dominated from the opening horn.
The Godfather of Triggonomics didn’t spend much time mourning the losses. In addition to commentating for the now-defunct PRIDE organization, Trigg put together a solid 7-2 run outside of Zuffa, including wins over Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Kazuo Misaki.
Trigg was last seen outpointing a very game Danny Babcock in the main event of the XCF: “Rumble in Racetown” event back on February 14. Trigg got off to a rocky start in the first round, but soon found his range and took command in the second and third rounds, including a late knockdown in the final minute of the bout to take the unanimous decision win.
No opponent or event has been named for Trigg’s return, but no question the 37-year-old veteran of the sport will be looking to make an immediate impact.
War.
War never changes.
