Shogun two fights away from a title shot?

Shogun’s manager Eduardo Alonso spoke recently with Brazil’s Combate, and argued that the fighter is uniquely two fights away from a fight for the belt.

“What I always say is that Shogun is always two fights away from a title shot,” said Fruhz, as transcribed by Fernando Arbex for BE. “No matter what happens, he won maybe the biggest Pride Grand Prix, is a former UFC champion and fans love his style. I say this potentially. Everything depends on the circumstances, the fighters’ injuries, the calendar, the champion being active, so there are a lot of subjective aspects. But he would do at most three fights before a title shot. However, we can’t think about it right now because he has a bout coming.”

The fight referenced is of course vs. Jimi Manuwa at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Manuwa on November 8 in Uberlândia, Brazil.

Although he has more immediate concerns, Shogun agreed with his manager’s assessment about title shot prospects.

“I think so,” said Shogun. “But I’m not thinking about title shot right now. My attention is fully turned to Jimi Manuwa. What comes after that will be a consequence. Both of us are always seeking the KO. That is my strength. The sooner the better. Striking fans will likely enjoy the fight.”

Adding an interesting wrinkle to the two-fights-away theory is the fact that the last time Shogun got two fights in a row in the UFC, he got a title shot, two in fact. It was against Lyoto Machida, and he won the second, before losing to current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

And adding a further wrinkle, Fruhz says Shogun could potentially drop a division.

“We discussed with the UFC about Shogun fighting in a catchweight, so he could feel how his body reacts before studying a division change,” said Alonso. “But not for now. He’s doing fine at 205. He’s physically stronger now than he was two fights ago.”

How would you like to see Shogun challenge Chris Weidman?