ATTRIBUTES
|
ATTRIBUTE
|
LHW RATING | LHW (PRIDE) RATING |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 83 | 83 |
| Speed | 80 | 80 |
| Cardio | 83 | 84 |
| Footwork | 84 | 84 |
OFFENSIVE SKILLS
| SKILL | LHW RATING | LHW (PRIDE) RATING |
|---|---|---|
| Standing Strikes | 83 | 83 |
| Standing Kicks | 86 | 86 |
| Clinch Striking | 83 | 83 |
| Ground Striking | 82 | 82 |
| Clinch Grapple | 80 | 80 |
| Takedown | 74 | 74 |
| Ground Top Grapple | 78 | 77 |
| Ground Bottom Grapple | 80 | 78 |
| Submission | 79 | 76 |
DEFENSIVE SKILLS
| SKILL | LHW RATING | LHW (PRIDE) RATING |
|---|---|---|
| Standing Strikes | 82 | 82 |
| Standing Kicks | 82 | 82 |
| Clinch Striking | 77 | 77 |
| Ground Striking | 76 | 76 |
| Clinch Grapple | 78 | 76 |
| Takedown | 74 | 74 |
| Ground Top Grapple | 80 | 80 |
| Ground Bottom Grapple | 80 | 77 |
| Submission | 83 | 77 |
ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES
LEFT/RIGHT MUAY THAI HEAD KICK
Level 3—Both Standing, Striking Range
This is Shogun’s bread and butter. Lead with some powerful punches, then unleash these huge kicks. As a counter, you can rock your opponent or score a one-hit knockdown.
SHOGUN’S STEPPING LEFT HOOK
Level 3—Both Standing, Striking Range
This awesome punch is quick and follows your step into the pocket. Step and quick strike.
LEFT/RIGHT REAR LEG KNEE
Level 2—Muay Thai Clinch, Offense
When Shogun initiates the clinch, it goes right into Muay Thai. Use a strong whip and launch these vicious knees to the head and body.
STRENGTHS
- Aggressive style
- Knockout power
- Well rounded
As former light heavyweight Lyoto Machida found out, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is remarkable on his feet, and you don’t want to be kicked by him.
Rua’s game plan is always to keep the fight a striking match and to live in the kicking distance.
Shoot in with punches and go to the clinch to bring the pain with the Muay Thai knees, but resist the temptation to go to the ground.
Use the cage against better opponents to limit their abilities in the clinch, but watch out for the takedown.
Shogun’s strength is standing—utilize his monster kicks to beat up opponents from range. Few can match him outside when you snap out his Level 3 Muay Thai head kicks.
WEAKNESSES
- Wrestling
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Ground strike defense
Shogun isn’t truly weak in any specific area, but choose to take him down and make it a ground-and-pound affair where you maintain top control.
He’s prone to the takedown, and the mat reduces his opportunities to finish you with a big strike.
He’s got good submission defense, and he’ll probably try to get back to his feet, so block his transitions and maintain control.
He’s one of the higher-rated grapplers in the light heavyweight division, but his skill set isn’t as diverse as other fighters’, so don’t be too worried about his submission game.
If the fight goes back to standing, take him down again.