• UFC Rio

Shogun Rua labels Griffin a 'complete fighter'

ESPN staff
April 16, 2011
Forrest Griffin has already beaten Mauricio Shogun Rua once © UFC
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Mauricio Shogun Rua has commented on his newly-announced fight with Forrest Griffin at UFC Rio, labelling his rival a "complete fighter".

Shogun's first appearance since losing his light-heavyweight title to Jon Jones will take place in his home country on August 27. His opponent is a fellow former champion.

Griffin was the man who welcomed Rua to the UFC with a third-round rear naked choke victory, but Shogun is adamant that a knee problem played a significant part in that result.

Now he has the chance to prove he is the better fighter, but he knows he is going to have to work extremely hard to overcome an opponent who is taller, fitter and arguably more rounded.

"[Griffin] is a very tough and talented guy," Rua told Sherdog. "He's also a former division champion.

"His striking is good; his takedowns, too. And his ground game is dangerous, so he's a complete fighter. I'll have to practice everything to beat him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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