M.Shogun plans to return to the UFC in the second half of the year. Photo: Bruno Ferreira/SUPER FIGHTS
Recovering from a broken nose suffered in the defeat to Dan Henderson at UFC Natal, last March, Mauritius Shogun is already planning his return to the octagon. In an exclusive interview given to Super Fights After the open training sessions for TUF Brasil 3, in São Paulo (SP), Shogun revealed that, together with his team, he plans to return to acting in the second half of 2014.
“I'm back to training now, I'm coming back little by little. There is still no one (as an opponent) for now. I had surgery on my nose due to the fracture and I already took advantage of it and had surgery to deviate the septum as well. My doctor always talks to Eduardo (Alonso, manager) about recovery time so that we can start thinking about the next fight. I should go back in September or October. This is our prediction for return”, stated Shogun.
The dates mentioned by Maurício coincide with two events in which his presence would have great appeal to the public: UFC Fight Night 51 in Japan, where the Curitiba native made his career in the now-defunct PRIDE, and UFC Rio 5, in which he would once again have the opportunity to fight at home. Both possibilities are welcomed by Shogun. “For me, it would be a great honor to return to fight in Japan. Fighting in Brazil is something that I also really enjoy. Being close to my family and my fans. But wherever they put me to fight, I'll fight 'hard'”, he commented.
At 32, Mauritius Shogun has a record of 22 wins and nine losses. Former PRIDE GP champion, the Curitiba native won the UFC light heavyweight belt in 2010, beating his compatriot Lyoto Machida, and ended up losing the title ten months later, when he was surpassed by the current champion Jon Jones.
Check out the exclusive interview below, in full. Mauritius Shogun ao SUPER FIGHTS:
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