Shogun: I truly consider myself the underdog
When the betting lines opened for UFC 128 and young gun Jon Jones was the bookmakers’ favorite to take Mauricio…
When the betting lines opened for UFC 128 and young gun Jon Jones was the bookmakers’ favorite to take Mauricio Rua’s light heavyweight title, many observers were surprised at the perceived lack of respect for the reigning champ.
Rua did not fall into that category, however.
I understand if people think he’s the favorite, said Rua during Wednesday’s UFC 128 media conference call. He’s been winning all of his fights easily, and I certainly think he is the rightful favorite for this fight. I truly consider myself the underdog.
I don’t really care. It serves as motivation for me.”
My approach to training is always the same for any fight, because I know that I have to be well-prepared in all areas and be ready for anything. So, I have to train everything, but I also have to train for what Jon Jones does well. And that’s what I did. [Jones and Evans] are somewhat similar opponents in many senses, because they are very good strikers and wrestlers. I had to change my sparring partners for the fight, but [other than that], I didn’t change that much.
If you look at it, I’ve been on the sidelines for 10 months, and it was almost the same difference between the first and second Machida fights. When I had surgery and came back last time, I was transitioning from Pride to the UFC, and I wasn’t used to the Octagon yet. Also, I had two knee surgeries in a row, which sidelined me for, like, a year and eight months. It’s totally different from this time, and I’ve been training already for six months for this fight. So I’m feeling comfortable, and I’m ready.