Shogun Rua | Greatest Year

Shogun Rua found overwhelming success in the Pride fighting promotion during 2005, claiming a five-fight win streak that would lead him to a middleweight title to cap off the year. Rua is set to face Ihor Potieria next in the featured prelim matchup at UFC 283 on Saturday.
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#UFC #UFC283

[@jptothetree]

Pride FC is literally what got me into MMA 🤘🤘

[@BDZ69]

Only the ogs will remember the good old pride days😂

[@JRF1004]

Damn i wasn’t even 5 years old back then 💀

[@jptothetree]

@@BDZ69 Back in the days of prime Fedor 😱

[@codymachado]

I wasn’t a fan back then but I recall seeing a few pride events on tv at my grand parents. Chuck vs rampage iirc. This was like 2005-2006

[@MMAJesus420]

Same bro

[@Chubzdoomer]

Most people seem to forget just how frightening Shogun was in his prime. The guy was a phenom in every sense of the word.

[@dmitryy841]

2005 MW GP Defeated: -Rampage -Lil Nog -Overeem and Arona in one night. Legendary!👏

[@Childofbhaal]

This man ended the Machida era

[@briankenny6822]

My all time favorite fighter! He was a monster before his injuries and was still able to get the ufc belt after them.

[@eyesmokeblunts6281]

Your favorite fighter that you watched highlights on KZbin

[@briankenny6822]

@@eyesmokeblunts6281 Watched him in Pride and saw him live multiple times. Now go make me a sandwich girl.

[@bidsole2808]

Shogun was my absolute favorite, always put on a show… I flipped out when he beat Machida in the UFC for the title

[@Childofbhaal]

Even though I’m a bigger fan of Machida, Shogun definitely won their first fight

[@doggieGZ]

Nobody expected him to win this tourney. He was the betting underdog in EVERY matchup during this tournament. Against Rampage, Lil Nog, Alistair, Arona. Greatest tournament run ever.

[@themodernmacho]

Idk. Gomi’s run the same year was equal I would say.

[@thediaz07]

When I watched Shogun back in the day I thought he was going to be what Jon Jones is.

[@Burner-ui2fb]

@@themodernmacho nah much respect to gomi but all of the fighters shogun beat in the grand pri would go on to be all time legends n where top fighters during the time as well

[@gabrielsormani5183]

By the time he faced Arona, in the final match, everybody who watched the whole tournment knew Shogun was gonna win. He was unstoppable that year.

[@philipcernohorsky6186]

Yes and my opinion he would of smashed Wanderlei if they we're not training partners. And Vandy knew it. Sucks how shogun was not the same after he got his arm broken by a bad fall after Coleman held his legs. Gsp. Like his life depended on it. Shogun kicked every ass. Literally. When I show new fans of fighting any clips first is shogun soccer kicks. Bam. Gsp my all time 1. Shogun 2. Always

[@BCRLP]

My favorite fighter ever, he had a legendary run.. .

[@theofficialpeterkim]

Pride had the best fighters. Many legends in the sport.

[@johnnylift_medical]

Shogun surely was one athletic monster in MMA. He had it all! One of my favorites

[@jeremylamovsky3669]

Jackson during his PRIDE days was experimenting with how many Brazilian knees one man could take before dying. And shogun didn't just win the tournament, he beat the shit out of everyone.

[@Sephiroth-1]

Dude was a monster in his prime

[@mmaaldente]

Shogun was "Ninja's little brother" until 2005. Even though he had just beaten Gono and Shoji, nobody gave him a shot against top fighters. Then, he goes on to have one of the greatest years in mma history- and totally changes everything. He stepped out of Ninja's shadow, just like Nate Diaz stepped out of Nick's 7 years ago. Kanehara was no monster, but he's a solid win. Then, he enters the tournament. He runs through Rampage, who was unanimously considered the number 2 LHW in the organization and tournament. Then, he gives us one of the very best PRIDE fights ever and out-hustles Rogerio Nogueira. Then, he destroys Overeem after surviving his guillotine, which had just secured him wins over Vitor, Igor, and 4 grapplers in the ADCC regional qualifiers in Europe. After that- maybe two hours after that- he avenges his friend and mentor by dominating and knocking out the man who handed him his first loss in the division in 5 years. Shogun became a legend that night.

[@titoderico3111]

That is history Bro❤

[@drebodollaz3504]

Nick was a better fighter and had greater accomplishments than Nate. Shogun eclipsed Ninja.

[@jiujitsumonkey1]

I feel bad for people that were too young or weren't into the sport back then, there really was something special at the time about pride, so many good matches. If you have fight pass I highly recommend going back and watching the full cards

[@jakehamilton5332]

It was special because dudes were aloud to stomp and soccer kick eacothers heads😂😂

[@McKurdi]

@@jakehamilton5332 were they aloud 😂

[@jakehamilton5332]

@@McKurdi yes it used to be in the early days of ufc

[@zeugreutata]

PRIDE was the shit man. It was totally something else. BRUTAL. Savage. Real tough man.

[@zeugreutata]

Tournament and pyramid was the shit not 2 fights per year how its now.

[@shannonbayley3684]

It's sadly lacking views and comments. Casuals. Shogun is f*cking LEGEND and paved the way for so many.

[@thehousealsold3046]

A prime Shogun Rua vs a prime Vitor Belfort would be my favorite matchup. Sad that this fight never happened and no one ever mentioned a possibility to happen.

[@hot-headedloosewire6878]

That match would have been sick!

[@DavidJones-qv3el]

LEGEND

[@JRF1004]

Wow i had never watched his fights in PRIDE, dude was lightyears ahead of his time, this version of Shogun could be champ in the current LHW division, insane

[@CoolaJokern]

He really was, i mean in 2005 he looked as good as anyone in the ufc roster today, I can't think of a single fighter from 205 that as of this moment would give that Shogun trouble

[@JRF1004]

@@CoolaJokern right??? only Jiri would beat him imo

[@dfgntzfjgyhmghbndfnghcmsfr1089]

He's way too small to be a LHW today. He'd probably be a MW.

[@madgavin7568]

His style benefited A LOT from Pride's rule set which allowed grounded knees to the head, stomps and soccer kicks. Shogun's biggest weapons were his GnP strikes, he was a GnP artist first and foremost although his overall striking and grappling wasn't bad either.

[@biscobisco1882]

​@@madgavin7568His overall game "wasn't bad"? Jesus Christ dude 😂 He had a fantastic outside kicking game, was ferocious in the clinch/dirty boxing, had a sneakily effective slip/counter right hand and murderous power, severely underrated wrestling from the clinch, an extremely effective guard game, defensive jiu-jitsu and sweeps from his back (deep half guard work, the omoplata he hit on Arona) and was absolutely punishing from mount, side control and even guard. Anyone who claims he 'relied' on stomps and soccer kicks doesn't know what they're looking at. You know he had a very successfully career in the UFC (was a champion, defeated multiple other UFC champions) despite crippling knee injuries and without any kicks/knees to a downed opponent?

[@JoaoVictor-cd4gh]

God bless you LEGEND

[@TitansSoul]

Shogun with Pride’s rules 😅

[@RatedRRaj]

Man! *Prime Shogun* was a force to be reckoned with, along with Wanderlei Silva.... those two were just *savage* haha.

[@FightNightPicks]

*2005 GP champion, only loss in PRIDE was to Coleman when he broke his arm...first ballot Hall of Famer*

[@ljgfb]

I never realize how good he was...

[@hilleyify]

‘05 Shogun was something else

[@ozzieozzie6327]

Legend, I still remember the first game demo that had rua and jones to choose from

[@RatedRRaj]

Jones? It was Chuck Liddell lol.

[@brycesolomon9933]

@@RatedRRaj just spam Chuck’s monkey overhand right lol.

[@ozzieozzie6327]

Really!? Thought the demo was Jones, could be my bad tho

[@RatedRRaj]

@@ozzieozzie6327 Which UFC game are you talking about? UFC 2009 Undisputed was the first one on PS3 and that had Liddell vs Rua. I think Undisputed 3 had Jones as well as other fighters in the demo. The first was on PS4 was EA Sports UFC which had Jones vs Gustaffson.

[@hunterkembel5012]

​@@RatedRRajufc undisputed 2009 2010. And undisputed 3. All on ps3. Ps4 was when the ea sports took over and just called it ufc ea sports

[@charlespitter1848]

The level of competition he beat is astounding

[@ufcfan0896]

Thank you for all Mr. Shogun. Legend🙏

[@ThreeEyedJuan]

Brings back memories! One of the best of all time. Wish they also gave a crown like what they do in K1.

[@Ajayzmma]

Shogun the legend

[@rman229]

0:54 lmao the smooth transition from flying stomp into a knee on belly 👊

[@coolvad3r]

The GOAT.

[@ratty2012]

I still have some old Pride VHSs and DVDs with Shogun

[@frags6940]

I think Shogun can get it done this week, going to be a rough first round though…

[@CoolaJokern]

Imagine all the wrestlers who'd if they made one mistake shooting or while maintaining position they'd get soccer kicked or stomped. Would change the sport completely, probably for the better tbh because it's more close to an actual fight and wrestlers would be more limited and not be able to stall fights and do wreckles moves like spam telegraphed takedowns they might miss because the other person can just kick them in the face when they're still grounded. It would be awesome; more stand up, higher stakes on the ground. Who wouldn't want it?

[@geekytroll7968]

Unfortunately the pussies in American Sports commission banned it. Thats why we have Aljos controversy

[@H0FFMANN]

The Good Ole Days

[@livibam]

GOAT

[@SUPER8ALTERN8]

legend

[@yoshiike1]

That tournament tho son.

[@Ozymandias_1818]

Shogun was a force in pride. Those soccer kicks were legendary

[@Togairu]

Now this is what I'm talking about

[@TheImSource]

Bring back soccer kicks and knee strikes to grounded opponents. It'll shuffle up the meta for sure.

[@dmitryy841]

Sterling nightmare

[@CoolaJokern]

Dude imagine all the wrestlers who'd if they made one mistake shooting or while maintaining position they'd get soccer kicked or stomped. Would change the sport completely, probably for the better tbh because it's more close to an actual fight and wrestlers would be more limited and not be able to stall fights and do wreckles moves like spam telegraphed takedowns they might miss because the other person can just kick them in the face when they're still grounded. It would be awesome, more stand up, higher stakes on the ground. Who wouldn't want it?

[@Kevin-xz4jq]

Amazing finishing instinct. Absolute killer

[@jacksdad734]

That sprawl punch GnP was so cool.

[@marcelmorejon9023]

Greatest of all time! Nothing beats his 2005!

[@Sjatj]

My favourite fighter of all time.

[@JUJI5000]

Shogun and Gomi had a great year in 2005

[@juliusroque4589]

My favorite fighter!

[@dutchie1010]

thanks for a great career mr rua. my favourite fighter or all time! thanks for the memories

[@MMAJesus420]

One of the best ever

[@LucieOne]

I wonder how Shogun may've done had he come to the UFC at 185. Did fantastic and still got the belt at 205 though.

[@geekytroll7968]

Middleweight (199lbs) in Pride is the equivalent of Light Heavyweight (205lbs) in UFC. Pride Welterweight was 189lbs. Weight divisions was weird and confusing back then 😅

[@LucieOne]

@@geekytroll7968 I'd forgotten all about that. How crazy is it that Rampage was making 199 back then.

[@timpeilstocker8639]

Legendär fighter

[@kylemcmeekin2988]

The most incredible performances in MMA history

[@SincereDoper]

Ropes, soccer kicks, and they used the honor system for steroids so everyone was juiced... man I miss these events.

[@whogotcheese9002]

That dude Arona was on everybody's highlight reel 😂

[@ceylon64]

The fearless attitude Shogun shows in his game! Always for the finish! Against top 5 fighters in the world at the time! Some of todays fighter should take a look at this if they want to be a exciting Fighter and become a superstar!

[@mauricioamado5975]

Those headkicks on the floor...scary

[@cosmicjoee]

VAMO SHOGUN!

[@aravindvenu1560]

Well, that is pure domination.

[@nicumecu3116]

These are the rules ufc needs..more exciting

[@Calbear22100]

Legend 👊🏼🔥

[@jotv7224]

that performance against arona was something.

[@HeidelbergUniv.]

I'm looking forward to this numbering match in Brazil.

[@maiconfranco69]

Se não fosse pelo Shogun eu jamais gostaria de MMA!

[@zacharycampbell2833]

Getting an ad for shogun while watching a video about shogun😂

[@Rome6601]

*Shogun, baby!!!!!.....*

[@codyjames01111]

I was in a sports bar back in 2004 watching FSN with Bas Rutten when they used to air PRIDE fc Highlights and I watched the Aleksandeer Emelienenko vs Josh Thompson fight. I was blown away at how exciting it was. I was hooked ever since

[@NickDK94]

Ohh i remember the time when Shogun was the boogeyman! Everybody was scared of him! What a run he had

[@kachoww5981]

Holy shit bro the kicks and knees they used to do to ground opponents were vicious.. look at that knee that lands at 0:52

[@swizzy475]

Hell yeah, the way it should be

[@kieranl5249]

thats not any worse than some kicks and knees in the UFC. I mean masvidal kneed askren out cold then hit some vicious follow up shots

[@rajeshprasad6016]

@@kieranl5249 but it followed the rules, and so it is a 1 in million chance to have such a perfect flying knee, especially on first attempt. Stomping your opponent is shitty because that's your legs natural position and generates lot of power. Can cause serious brain damage. Fighters still want to live to fight another day and see their family right.

[@kieranl5249]

@@rajeshprasad6016 but even if there is a one in a million chance, it is still equally as dangerous, so shouldn't it be disallowed? Also, I could be wrong here, but I don't think theres ever been any study into how much more damaging kicks to a grounded opponent are vs. any other strike, or even if pride fighters suffered more concussions etc than ufc fighters

[@soter305]

The killer instinct on Shogun is unmatched. Not only that I don’t believe there’s any fighter that fought more years competitively. A true legend.

[@ljgfb]

That Dan Henderson fight though...

[@edwinchimbo709]

A legend for sure !!

[@HowardJonesOfficial]

I almost thought that said "Fighter of the Year" for a second LOL!

[@themodernmacho]

He did get fighter of the year for his run in 2005. He tied with Gomi

[@HowardJonesOfficial]

@@themodernmacho I know. I just meant in 2022.

[@republiqueDUpeuple]

Pride was madness

[@review-report]

*Shogun Retires… Salute!!!*

[@ikareruchouzin]

ホジェリオ戦がベストバウト、まさに死闘だった。

[@maxwellsoul531]

Fantastic 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼

[@sizzer33]

Shogun rua shall live on forever In these videos

[@polaroidzo4118]

Give him his 💐

[@mosteribarra8029]

Las patadas de soccer si se ven muy chacales

[@davidmarcello1165]

ufc needs to bring pride rules back somehow it would spice up a lot of grapple exchanges fr

[@everydayfaces1470]

Aw the glory days

[@CristianoBDG]

Low kick na cabeça kkkkk

[@C_Los45]

🔥🔥🔥

[@paulinhopmcd]

Devia ter parado a 5 anos atrás 😢

[@rodrigogama3809]

O foda que agora que entra mta grana pra esses lutadores, é triste ver eles fora do auge, mas eles merecem o $$

[@vytkoicaro]

Respect 🙏☯️

[@user-gv3gf4wq5f]

격투선수중 가장사랑한 선수 쇼군!!

[@marcusjohnson6158]

THE STOMP KICK CHAMPION 🏆🏆🏆

[@VICKEY_DESIGN]

Pride was a gangsters paradise....no fucks given

[@hanterswan607]

Wanderley so happy and proud 😁

[@gregmoore167]

Don't want to take anything away from his achievement, but he was definitely a different fighter before the UFC!

[@dszdj2927]

Shogun rua stamina was crazy before injuries

[@bornagaintexan8097]

During his pride days, he was the worst person to fall against. A slip, a trip, doesn’t matter. You have to be standing at all times against Shogun. Going to the ground is suicide.

[@baksuzhajvan6591]

Pure violence

[@webuyhousesdenvercolorado]

The referees in PRIDE FC don't get the credit they deserve. Even the announcers were the best. Man I miss PRIDE FC.

[@SpicyGlitzz]

Woa. The grueling era of soccer kicks.

[@alexeykasarin9992]

One of the greatest fighters of all time. I hope, he will win his final fight!

[@avc5131]

With waderlei silva, they were most juiced fighters of the japanese pro circuit

[@Harry11enderson]

Sucks that ufc doesn't have the same rules as pride it was wild and awesome to see fighters knee and soccer kick grounded opponents

[@jayscott9860]

“I trainy, I eaty, and I sleepy”

[@user-dc5px8vy2q]

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