By Guilherme Cruz

Photo Josh Hedges

Getting his first victory in the UFC, Maurício "Shogun" Rua knocked Mark Coleman out in the third round of the fight, which took place at UFC 93, in the beginning of the year. Despite the victory, the Brazilian ended showing that the long time away from fighting, because of two knee surgeries, prejudiced the gas, but Murilo "Ninja" Rua, brother and training parner, bets on the recovery of the Pride GP’s champion.

"He could have knocked him out before, with more calm, in the first round. Coleman was well trained, hold all three rounds, but Shogun will be better next time. He was out of training and rhythm, but I think that Coleman is a fight that he wanted for a long time and, thanks God, he got the victory", analyses Ninja, waiting for a better performance against Chuck Liddell, at UFC 97, in April.

"It’ll be a tough fight. Liddell hits hard, but I think my brother will be prepared. He knows what to do. My brother is a versatile guy, on the ground and striking. He has everything to beat Liddell, and, if he wins, he can already fight for the belt", bets Ninja, who may face a long time off with EliteXC’s bankruptcy. "My contract ends in June or July and, unfortunately, I can’t fight until then. I’ll have to wait the event’s position, if it’ll be sold or if they’ll release the fighter’s contracts. It has a lot of events looking for me, but I can’t do anything", regrets.