& # 39; Shogun & # 39; Rua: "I deserve to fight for the belt & # 39; with the victory of UFC Hamburg

Former light heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua knows that it's better not to think too much about the task at hand – and that's his UFC Fight Night 134 encounter with Anthony Smith.

Rua also learned that some things, out of his control. So, if you ask "Shogun" (25-10 MMA, 9-8 UFC) if a championship fight with Daniel Cormier will follow a win against Smith (28-14 MMA, 5-3 UFC) on Sunday, Rua can But if the question is whether, depending on how this happens, "Shogun" deserves the opportunity to recover the 205-pound belt of the UFC? Now, it's a little different.

"I believe that if I win this fight well, I deserve to fight for the belt," Rua told MMAjunkie. "For my career, for my story, those who know me from the beginning know that I deserve this chance."

And that's about as flatly as Rua is going to talk about it while he's thinking fast.

"But that's out of my control, too," said Rua. "It's not something I decide … Cormier calls my name, it's a lot easier, but I can not think of it when I have a tough opponent like Anthony Smith in front of me." "

Those who have spoken to Rua in the past know this stuff. The current mentality is not out of his character. You will not see the 36-year-old Brazilian make bold claims or talk about things in existence. And while this may very well be part of his personality, it could also have something to do with adaptation.

After all, one would think that a 16-year-old MMA veteran like Rua learned a thing or two about situations not always as he had expected. Example: That same fight that he has in front of him at the Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany

Rua, who has not fought since TKO 's victory over Gian Villante in March 2017, was supposed to be back in Japan last September, but his knee did not go out. did not resist. "Shogun" chained on Volkan Oezdemir, which earned him a defeat against Cormier. This one failed because of the legal problems of Oezdemir in the United States.

The match was re-rented two months later, but another twist occurred: Oezdemir was relocated to a meeting of UFC 227 with Alexander Gustafsson. And then Rua, who is ranked No. 13 in the latest USA TODAY Sports / MMAjunkie MMA light heavyweight standings, has gone from fighting No. 7 Oezdemir to meeting a new arrival at the 205-pound division in Smith means long time. But "Shogun" says that he was not disappointed when Smith – a name that might not strengthen his title as much as "Oezdemir" – was offered to him. "I'm thinking of victory," Rua said. "I'm thinking about winning this fight, which is tough, and if I win against anyone, I'll be closer to the belt, that's what I think."

And if he has to constantly readjust his frustration, he hides it well.

"I think these types of changes are inevitable," Rua said. "And it's not just today, it's always been like that.You can not count 100 percent on anything.My luck was that my opponent was somebody with someone." the same profile as Oezdemir – comes from Muay Thai, likes to hit.Then that's all.I've been lucky to have an opponent with the same strengths as Oezdemir. "

D & # 39; 39 as much as these forces are getting along well with his. "" I think it's a good fight, that match, "Rua said." Because that's a guy who's going to fight, me too. None of us picks up, so I think it 'sa thrilling fight. I prefer to fight with guys like him, who continue the fight, who pursue the knockout, than someone who wants to stall. So I'm happy with that. "

Oezdemir did not have the same chance." As originally reported by ESPN.com the 205-pound fighter had a broken nose and, therefore, could not interfere against Gustafsson

"Shogun", on his side, He had not heard what Oezdemir did when he spoke to MMAjunkie – but he offered his immediate sympathy once he l? did.

"It's really hard – the nose is zero," says Rua. "Shogun's Rua extends his best run in 11 years?"

As for what it will mean For the 205-pound division and its title image, the time – and perhaps the two main fights of the Sunday race – will tell it, but "Shogun" knows it's going to make it more "open".

"I think that's the case (impact on things), because Oezdemir is leading the rankings, and if he beat Gustafsson he could be one. "Rua said."

Asked if he would still like to face Oezdemir at one point, after two failed attempts to make it happen, Rua offered a "maybe, in the near future." But, again, it is the first things for the former champion.

"Now I'm focusing on Anthony Smith at 100%," Rua said. "Then I'll see what I'm doing If I win well, I'll try for the belt, but I'll take it into battle."

There can be many things in a fight – namely, injuries. But, if "Shogun" comes out unscathed, here is another part of his future that he is ready to project

"Of course (I want to stay active)," Rua said. I fought (Antonio Rogerio Nogueira), I had not fought for a long time ("The Ultimate Fighter Brazil: 4", which Rua was training). Then I had some small injuries. I would fight and I should heal them. I want to fight, and God willing, to leave 100% so that I can return right away. "

For more information on UFC Fight Night 134, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.