• UFC Rio

Shogun v Griffin II targeted for UFC Rio

ESPN staff
April 15, 2011
Mauricio Shogun Rua needs to bounce back at UFC Rio © Getty Images
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UFC Rio is shaping into the biggest event of the year after it was confirmed on Friday that Mauricio Shogun Rua will line up against Forrest Griffin.

The August 27 event is already headlined by Anderson Silva's middleweight title defence against Yushin Okami, while MMA legend Royce Gracie is expected to be confirmed within the next two weeks.

Shogun's manager Eduardo Alonso had previously revealed that the former light-heavyweight champion is targeting an August comeback, following his TKO loss to Jon Jones at UFC 128.

That return will be made against Griffin, himself a former champion. The TUF 1 winner welcomed Rua to the UFC with a shock third-round submission victory in September 2007, but it was claimed Shogun's loss was due to a lack of cardio and a serious knee injury.

MMA Fighting reports that Dana White confirmed on Friday that a rematch is on the cards for UFC Rio.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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