Redemption Road for Shogun Rua

Seems like the same story for Shogun Rua, just a different chapter. The former Pride superstar and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion returns to the Octagon on Saturday August 27th in Rio. This is a homecoming for the former Champ fighting in his native Brazil but he wishes it could be with the belt around his waist. Shogun's last fight against Jon Jones was one that seen Shogun tire quickly and just not look himself. Jones took advantage battering Shogun in the 3rd round for a TKO victory in becoming the new LHW Champion.

Lets rewind, in Shogun's debut in the UFC, he looked very sluggish against Forrest Griffin at UFC 76 and while still winning most of the fight, succumbed to a rear naked choke in the 3rd round in what many call the greatest upset in MMA history. Then he had 2 knee surgeries and was back in the Octagon again at UFC 93 to face Mark Coleman. While winning the fight, Shogun just didn't look himself and many fans thought that he would never regain the form that made him the untouchable superstar that he was in Pride Fighting Championship.

Then Shogun regained his health and his stamina and his form. He was matched against Chuck Liddel at UFC 97 and won handily via a 1st round TKO. His next match was for the Light Heavyweight Championship against who many fans thought was unbeatable opponent in Machida. They called Machida a puzzle and Joe Rogan went as far as dubbing it the "Machida Era". Shogun came into the fight healthy and firing on all cylinders. He dominated the fight standing from bell to bell, but lost a controversial decision. In the rematch, he knocked out Machida in the first round to prove that the last fight not only was no fluke, but that he was truly the better fighter and back to true Shogun form.

Then came another knee injury in training. Then another knee surgery. Then a re injury followed by another surgery. With all this time off healing and getting back in fighting shape, Shogun returned to face the up and comer Jon Jones who Dana White dubbed the next big thing in the sport. Shogun fought hard but you could immediately tell that he was not himself. He lost his stamina with the first few minutes of the fight and was never really a factor.

This will be Shogun's 2nd fight back after the long layoff and surgeries. He will be fighting in a rematch against the opponent that spoiled his debut in Forrest Griffin. This sounds like the same tune that has been sung for much of Shogun's career. Hopefully he can remain healthy and fight at the top of his game for many years to come. This Saturday in Rio will be very telling as to how Shogun's future in the fighting game will turn out. If he can come out and dominate Griffin like many believe that he can, then remain healthy, the sky is the limit. If he doesn't look like the old Shogun who fought a relentless style with brutal knees and kicks, then it may be time to hang up the gloves.

Shogun Rua vs Forrest Griffin. Sounds like a great fight, but there is so much more on the line. Shogun's legacy, future and most of all....redemption.