Cordeiro: I want to train Shogun again
Rafael Cordeiro: “I can not say that I will be his savior, but I know well the way that Shogun fights, and have great affection for him.”
Former Chute Boxe trainer and current owner of Kings MMA Rafael Cordeiro recently conducted an interview with Brazil’s Globo. Cordeiro used to teach for Chute Boxe in Mauricio “Shogun” Rua’s hometown of Curitiba, Brazil, but moved to Los Angeles to open Kings, not one of the top MMA gyms in the States. Never the less, Cordeiro expressed the wish to train Shogun again.
“I would love that Shogun returned to train with me,” said the coach, via Google translate. “I can not say that I will be his savior, but I know well the way that Shogun fights, and have great affection for him … He likes to be in Brazil, to be close to family. He has a need to be close to his mother, his wife, friends. and sometimes I cannot see myself doing a camp in Brazil because of all the commitments that I have here in my gym. But I hope one day o work with Shogun again, and help him return to the top of the game, where he deserves to be.
“He’s a young kid, 32, 33 years. Age is not a problem here – Werdum is 37 and today is at the best moment of his career. Vitor Belfort is 38 and also is in the best moment of his career. So there is enough time to train. The day that he want to, he would be received here at home as a parent receives a child without any problem. This is the message I wanted to let him know.”
“Shogun has a lot of firepower. This kid has the Muay YThai and good jiu-jitsuthat made Shogun respected worldwide. He is in a moment of defeat that any athlete who fights at this level may have, but everyone respects Shogun. I, more than his trainer – trained Shogun from white belt to black belt. I am a fan of Shogun. When I watch him fight on television, I’m sweating. I feel bad not being there, together, when I’m watching. I see on television and think “Damn, this is the one kid that I saw growing within the academy.” The Shogun was always a very great source of pride for me. Always respected me a lot in the time we worked together. Has always been a tough guy first. And that tough guy will come back, he only need a little push to get back on top. And back to stay.”
“I can tell you what is missing: motivation. That’s all that’s lacking in that Shogun. Shogun has the most important thing, which is heart. The kid is not afraid of anyone. If you put Shogun with anyone he goes there and fights. He will never back up, will walk forward against anyone.”