UFC on FOX: Shogun vs Vera – Title shot for the taking!

 

Here we go Los Angeles! UFC has returned and after a disappointing pay per view of UFC 149 in Canada, it is a relief that this weekend’s card is not only free but headlined by former UFC & PRIDE champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua as he faces the re-invented and dangerous, Brandon “The Truth” Vera. Before these two start dancing, the co-main event also features a former UFC champion, Lyoto Machida, who will be pitted against powerful wrestler and knockout capable, Ryan “Darth” Bader.

At first, this card looked mediocre, and then officials said the winner of the main event would get the next title shot for either Jon Jones or Dan Henderson, given the outcome of their bout in September. This made us scratch our heads and say, huh? How does Vera go from dismal wins to a title shot in one fight? Shogun gets a fight from batting .500 in his last six fights? Well, the UFC realized someone had been swapping vitamins out for crazy pills and came up with a better solution: all four men in the main event/ co-main event have the chance to be number one contenders!

Dana White stated in his recent vlog (this dude really lives like none of us could dream to) that he listens to the masses of fans and works for them, “Whoever wins in the most impressive fashion, that guy will fight for the title next.” FINALLY! He and Joe Silva are doing the right thing and giving the deserving fighters the title shots. Let’s throw out rankings and put the exciting fighters with some of a win streak or credibility in for the gold waistband.

For those of you who argue saying it is un-true to the sport and only people racking win streaks should get shots, look back at Hector Lombard or Jorge Santiago. Outside of the UFC, they go into beast mode and ruin competition but once the writing on their gloves changes – they get stage fright and lose to people who, on paper they should decimate.

Knowing that this is life changing for all involved, the men participating this weekend shared their thoughts on the situation and we are all in for a treat on FOX this weekend!

Shogun Rua: “I want the winner of Jones vs. Henderson. The fight I had with Henderson was a great fight, the fight of the year, and it was a very close fight. I am okay with that, it was a great fight. But the loss to Jones I can’t live with. I could have done so much better and I want to fight him again. First, though, I have to beat Brandon Vera and winning isn’t good enough. I have to be very impressive, but that it what I have trained to do.”

Brandon Vera: “I’m so ready for this. This is ‘The Truth’ resurging. I feel like I have won the lottery twice, not just fighting a legend like Shogun on FOX, but having the chance to get a title shot. ‘The Truth’ is going to shine though. Shogun is the one who has everything to lose. This is Shogun’s showcase, his spotlight, his time and I’m going to take all that off him. I’m taking his name, his title runs, everything he is, and I’m taking it all for myself.”

Lyoto Machida: “I respect Ryan Bader very much as a fighter. He will pose some great problems but I believe my training camp has been one of the best of my career. My striking is very sharp, and I’ve worked on my wrestling because Bader is a strong wrestler. I’ve made some radical changes in my training, although karate will always be my main focus. I am getting back on the road to the title. I know what I have to do, and I am ready for this opportunity.”

Ryan Bader: “After dominating Rampage my confidence went through the roof and I’m now more than happy to face anybody in the light heavyweight division. Machida is a former champion but so were three out of my last four opponents.  I’m no longer looking at these guys as fighters I used to watch on TV– they’re now my peers, my rivals. Machida is no different. No one is invincible and it is now my time to beat him and go on to a title shot.”