UFC 128 Poster
The Brazilian Mauricio Shogun and the North American Jon Jones, will star in UFC 128, on March 19th, a clash of generations. The 30-year-old athlete from Paraná, successfully emerged in MMA in 2005, in the now-defunct Pride, and marked his name in the history of the sport. Jones, just 23 years old, appears on the sporting scene being compared to the Shogun of that opportunity. Now, the light heavyweights will face off in the city of Newark to decide who will own the UFC light heavyweight division belt.
In the penultimate press conference before the duel, held last night, the athletes commented on their expectations for the confrontation and showed different behaviors during the question session.
Putting the title on the line for the first time, Shogun appeared calm facing Jones and did not appear worried due to his long inactivity due to a knee injury.
“I achieved all my dreams in MMA. It was difficult to motivate myself after I won the Pide GP (in 2005), but now I fight every fight for my life”, said the Brazilian, who claims he is not worried about the fact that he hasn't fought since May last year. “I'm not worried about the time I was stopped. It was almost as long as between the fights with Lyoto (Machida)”, added Shogun. The Brazilian also assured that he doesn't care about his opponent's favoritism on the North American betting exchanges.
“I'm very happy as champion. I’m not worried about the betting exchanges,” he said.
On the other hand, Jones, considered MMA's revelation in 2010, exuded confidence and assured that he will leave the octagon with the belt.
“I think everything happens for a reason. I have a strong team by my side. I’m in extraordinary shape and I can beat Shogun,” he said. “That belt is mine, I want it”, added the American.
The UFC 128 fight program will feature, in addition to the title defense, Mauricio Shogun, with five more Brazilians: Edson Barboza will face Anthony Njokuani, Ricardo “Cachorrão” Almeida will face Mike pyle, Gleison Tibau will measure forces against Kurt Pellegrino, Luiz “Banha” Cané will face the American Eliot Marshall, and Raphael Assunção makes his UFC debut against Erik Koch.
Check out the full event card below:
Main Card:
Mauricio Shogun x Jon Jones (Fight valid for the light heavyweight belt)
Jim Miller x Kamal Shalorus
Yoshihiro Akiyama x Nate Marquardt
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic x Brendan Schaub
Preliminary Card:
Luiz “Banha” Cané x Eliot Marshall
Edson Barboza x Anthony Njokuani
Ricardo “Cachorrão” Almeida x Mike pyle
Kurt Pellegrino x Gleison Tibau
Joseph Benavidez x Ian Loveland
Raphael Assunção x Erik Koch
Nick Catone x Dan Miller
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