Under the Microscope: Analyzing Light Heavyweight Greats

Eric StintonAug 13, 2015

Injuries cut short Mauricio Rua’s prime. | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

Mauricio Rua

* Light Heavyweight Record: 18-8
* Opponent Winning Percentage: .687
* Longest Winning Streak: 8
* Record in Major Light Heavyweight Title Fights: 2-2
* Finish Percentage: 89
* Finished Percentage: 62.5
* Notable Victories: Quinton Jackson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Alistair Overeem (twice), Ricardo Arona, Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida, Forrest Griffin
* Career Accomplishments: 2005 Pride middleweight grand prix winner; UFC light heavyweight champion; six-time UFC “Performance of the Night” bonus winner

CASE FOR: Words like “explosive” and “dynamic” are used in abundance whenever “Shogun” enters a discussion -- and for good reason. With almost one “Performance of the Night” bonus for every two fights in the Octagon, Rua has been consistently one of the most exciting fighters in the division. The former Chute Boxe standout also holds the distinction of being the only Pride superstar to transplant successfully into the championship ranks of the UFC; and if it were not for errant judging in his first fight against Lyoto Machida, he could have very well added some successful title defenses to his resume. With a freakish tendency of finishing opponents, through both slick submissions and vicious knockouts, “Shogun” has long been held as a divisional standard-bearer of fearsome excellence, earning respect from fans and contemporaries alike. Though he has had a bad run of luck with injuries -- that adds another “What if?” chapter to his career narrative -- “Shogun” will remain fortified in his position as one of the greatest to tape up the four-ounce gloves.

CASE AGAINST: There are plenty of reasons to deny Rua’s bid to be the 205-pound G.O.A.T., the first and foremost being that he has simply lost too many fights compared to what he has accomplished. To boot, he was finished in the majority of those losses. All things considered, others on this list have lost more than him and have been finished more frequently, but those individuals have also accomplished a great deal more than “Shogun.” On top of everything, his 6-8 UFC record is a huge knock against him, especially since, unlike his comrade Wanderlei Silva, he arrived in the UFC in what should have been his prime. While he won a Pride grand prix and a title in the UFC, his time in the sun as the best light heavyweight was short-lived in both organizations, making it hard to consider him the best of his era, let alone the best of all-time. The 33-year-old wears years of combat well beyond his age, and his back-to-back knockout losses to Dan Henderson and Ovince St. Preux do not bode well for a turning of the corner any time soon. He still demands an audience every time he steps in the cage, but the best of “Shogun” has come and gone, and it is doubtful he will do anything substantial to improve his G.O.A.T. standing at this point.

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