Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 21: (R-L) Paul Craig of Scotland celebrates his victory over Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua of Brazil in their light heavyweight bout during the UFC 255 event at UFC APEX on November 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 21: (R-L) Paul Craig of Scotland celebrates his victory over Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua of Brazil in their light heavyweight bout during the UFC 255 event at UFC APEX on November 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua fought Paul Craig on the main card opener for UFC 255 and would lose the fight after tapping to strikes. Subsequently, he took to social media and made a massive announcement to fans. ‘Shogun’ revealed that he suffered a nasty-looking elbow injury off the first takedown landed against him.
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‘Bearjew’ Craig was dominant throughout the bout and was able to land some impressive takedowns on the former titlist. It seems as though the blast double takedown early on in the fight caused an injury that certainly played a role in his loss. Fans were quick to wonder why ‘Shogun’ would tap to strikes; however, the injury brings a whole new dimension.
Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua speaks out on UFC 255 loss
The Brazilian veteran also made sure that fans were aware that he wasn’t providing any excuses for his loss. Rua gave Paul Craig his due for putting forth a statement victory in their second outing. ‘Shogun’ and Craig first met back in Sau Paulo and their bout went to a draw on the scorecard. What’s more, both fighters believed they had done enough, and they were keen to run things back.
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Additionally, Mauricio Rua also left the door open towards the topic of retirement that was brought up after his loss. UFC President Dana White called for Shogun’s retirement when he spoke to the media at the post-fight press conference. The 39-year-old fighter has still looked competitive as of late and he’s only lost one of his last five fights.
Unlike other aging veterans, Rua is still genuinely competitive against fighters who are in the top 15 of the division. Chiefly, the style that Paul Craig brings forth isn’t the most compatible with what Mauricio has taken to in the past. Craig is incredibly top-heavy and dextrous, thus making it harder for ‘Shogun’ to keep up. Furthermore, depleting speed certainly hasn’t helped matters.
Fans will be interested to see the path that ‘Shogun’ takes going forward as he enters the final phase of his career. Based on Dana White’s post-fight sentiments, it seems as though Rua’s future in the UFC could be in peril.