Shogun wants to fight again in Japan (Photo: Reproduction / Facebook Shogunrua)
At 35, Mauritius Shogun is experiencing his best phase in the UFC. The peak of his career, however, was in 2005, when he became PRIDE middleweight GP champion. Shogun's achievements in the now-defunct Japanese event made him an idol in Japan, earning the admiration of local fans. 12 years later, the Brazilian wants to return to fight in the Asian country, and has his eye on an edition of Ultimate scheduled for the Saitama Super Arena, in Tokyo, in September.
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“I fought in March, I talked to my team, and the plan is to fight in September. There will be a UFC in Japan, I have great affection for the country, for the people, and I think it's cool to fight there again. My focus is to fight there, whether it's the main fight or the co-main fight, it doesn't matter. What matters most is being on that card. I have good memories of Japan. The energy is good. If it works out, I'll fight at the Saitama Superarena, where I was world champion. It’s a place of good memories and good energy”, declared the Curitiba native, in an interview during the week of UFC 212.
When asked if he would like to challenge a specific name, Shogun assured that he would face anyone, but highlighted that he would like a rematch with Ovince St Preux, for those who already missed it in 2014.
“I have the greatest respect for Saint-Preux, a guy who has already beaten me. It's a fight I'd like to do again. Who knows, maybe it will be against him? I'm available if it's him. I don't think much about where I am in the category. We will have the Daniel Cormier against Jon Jones, there's Gustafsson, who I think will be the next to have a chance and there's Manuwa, who fights in July. I prefer to think fight over fight. If I think about afterwards, I don't focus on the fight. From my own experience, I only think about the next fight. I know that, as an athlete who has been fighting for many years, as a former champion, the title fight could happen sooner than I imagine. If it happens, I'll be super happy. I see every fight as a dream. The belt is my big dream,” he concluded.
Mauritius Shogun comes from three consecutive victories in the UFC. His most recent performance was last March, when he knocked out Gian Villante at UFC Fortaleza. Former UFC light heavyweight champion, he has nine triumphs and eight setbacks in the organization.
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