Can Shogun Rua Be a UFC Champ Without Stomps and Soccer Kicks?

[Misfit]

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Look at the career record of Shogun Rua, and you'll notice something unusual: Of his 18 victories, two are listed as TKO-stomps, and three are listed as TKO-soccer kicks. That's unusual, of course, because stomps and soccer kicks are illegal in the UFC and other American promotions. Shogun became one of the best and most exciting fighters in the world in Pride, where stomps and soccer kicks were allowed, but as he prepares to fight UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida at UFC 104, I've had a few fans ask me: Can Shogun become a champion under American rules?

Shogun's reliance upon stomps and soccer kicks was actually greater than you might think from hearing that he used them to finish five of his 18 victories: In other fights, such as his 2005 victory over Alistair Overeem, stomps and soccer kicks were an integral part of how he took control of the bout, even if they weren't the way he finished it. Stomps and soccer kicks were, quite simply, Shogun's best weapons, and he's now fighting under rules that take his best weapons from him.

Full read - http://mma.fanhouse.com/2009/10/17/can- ... cer-kicks/



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[JimDaeWong]

There is point to that argument. V. Silva loved the soccer kicksa as well, as far as I remember and he is having trouble winning fights in the UFC.

[LJluck]

It seems to me that Shogun is adapting well to the rules of the Octagon........his first fight in the UFC did not go too well for him. His 2nd he did better, but a little slow and sluggish imo. His 3rd or course was his best performance to date in the UFC. I think we will see an even better Shogun on 10/24 - although he won't get past Machida (because I have Crypt Cash on Machida!!!)

[JAX]

I think he should be able to adapt and would like to think he has more skill then to just depend on soccer kicks and head stomps. I think it was a combination of things when he came to the UFC, 1 he was injured and was coming back from multiple knee surgeries. 2) After the knee surgeries I'm sure it was hard to get into top notch shape which was why he seemed to gas in a couple of his fights so far.
And 3 the possble juicing he likely doesn't do anymore that alot of pride guys did because of the lack of testing they had.

[Misfit]

It's kinda hard for him IMO, almost a no win in this fight, well unless he wins of course. He could be the best Shogun to date and get beat by a better Machida and we will say that he hasn't "adapted" to the cage yet. Machida could be better than Shogun ever was is what I'm trying to say.

[LJluck]

Shogun is going down......he will not find an answer for Machida's elusiveness and skillful tactics.

[Wolunt]

Who were all those people besides Quentin that he was beating, it's not like it was the who's who of MMA, at least not from what I could tell.

[bj99]

What about other helpers? lol I won't mention those.

That and Lord knows, some of his fights over there could have been fixed.

I don't buy into the Pride hype.

He iwll be destoyed in a round.

[Rich Davie]

Yeah... Pride had plenty of fights that made you shake your head and say WTF !

[Birla]

Who were all those people besides Quentin that he was beating, it's not like it was the who's who of MMA, at least not from what I could tell.

Really? Beating Alistair Oveereem twice, Randleman, lil nog, Arona doesnt impress you? There are things that you can have a go at Shogun about but the level of competition isn't one of them