Shogun Rua eyeing March return against ‘Rampage’ Jackson

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has been forced to sit on the sidelines after undergoing shoulder injury earlier in the year. The former PRIDE and UFC champion is already planning his return to the octagon, though, and he has his sights set on Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

The callouts from “Rampage” and Shogun were not disrespectful by any means. Both men do not need to resort to trash talk to get themselves noticed; they are highly decorated veterans of the sport who want to meet in the octagon simply to find out who the better man is.

“I respect Rampage a lot, we always talk when we meet, but this is a fight that we both want,” Rua told MMA Fighting. “The UFC wants it, fans want it as well. It’s inevitable. I just hope he’s free of his issues with Bellator. It would be nice to fight him again.”

The two previously met in Japan under the PRIDE banner in one of the most anticipated light heavyweight fights that year. The bout did not play out in favor of Jackson, though, as he was knocked out by Rua in less than five minutes. Both men have gone on to capture UFC gold after PRIDE was bought out by Zuffa and will no doubt land spots in the UFC’s hall of fame.

“It’s been more than 10 years since that fight. His boxing is really great, as it already was in the past, so it’s going to be a tough fight,” Rua said of his fight with Jackson. “Boxing is Rampage’s best weapon. He has a great boxing, with good uppercuts and hooks. He said multiple times he was hurt going into that fight, so he will have the chance to prove otherwise.”

Who would walk out on top in a potential meeting between the two? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!