http://ufcjunkie.com/2007/04/04/mauricio-shogun-rua-wants-tito-ortiz-renato-babalu-sobral/

Performify back again, and I’ve got to come clean with you all.

Despite being a contributor here on UFCjunkie.com, I’ve long been a fan of both the UFC and PRIDE Fighting Championships. One of the things that excites me most about the acquisition of the PRIDE organization by the UFC team is that I expect I’ll now be able to cover some of my favorite PRIDE fighters in more depth here on UFCjunkie.com.

As such, I’d like to take the opportunity to share with you an interview with one of my favorite fighters, Brazilian fighter Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. In this interview conducted by Raphael Paiva of Brazilian Web site WorldFight, Shogun talks about his potential for fighting in the UFC, says that he’d really like to fight both Tito Ortiz and Renato “Babalu” Sobral, and answers some speculation on how the rule changes will affect his trademark stomps.

Unsurprisingly the original article being from a Brazilian source means it is written entirely in Portuguese — and, unfortunately, the site that posted the interview lacks an English translation of the article. So while you can check out the original interview in Portuguese via the Brazilian site WorldFight, here’s an unofficial English translation of the article here for the English-speaking audience:

We hear you are going to be making a film?

It’s true — I’ve signed a contract and I will be starring in a movie.

In your last fight against Alistair Overeem you showed sharp ground n’ pound. Have you been training specifically for this type of game?

Our academy trains everything, jiu jítsu, muay thai and wrestling. A smart fighter knows that taking that fight to the ground would make it easier, so we trained specifically for this.

In your last three fights all were decided on the ground. Do you prefer to fight on the ground or on your feet?

Everything depends on the opponent, I think that the evolution of the MMA is for fighters to be complete, depending on the opponent, I find their weak point and take the fight there.

Some mma fighters have been invited to ADCC, Arona, Paulão, Josh Barnett and even Igor Vovchanchyn, if he was invited, couldn’t you participate?

With certainty. I train sufficient in submission and [would like] to fight in ADCC. Not only myself, but my brother and Cristiano Marcello also, I think the academy would be represented [well]. If we were invited to fight, I think we would do well.

What is the biggest difference between fighting in Japan and the United States?

The heat of the crowd, in the United States the fans are a lot like fans in Brazil, loud and passionate. In Japan, everybody is calm watching the fights. But they have affection for both sides and are always considerate. I like both.

Wanderlei Silva after said after his loss to Dan henderson that it is your time — what do you think?

This is my objective, in case Wanderlei does not get a rematch, I would like the chance. This title has to come back to Curitiba at any cost, and if the chance goes to me, I will give my best, it is my dream.

One of your toughest fights was against Rogério Minotouro, what did you think of his loss to Sokoudjou?

He came out fast and is a good athlete, I expected Rogerio to win but he got caught on the chin. I think Minotouro deserves all respect.

Pride now belongs to Zuffa, do you think this will be good for the sport?

I think think it will only grow the sport has to grow. For us athlete, things are going to improve very much.

The rules have been unified, will this harm your game?

With certainty, I love to stomp. But already I’ve fought two times under these rules, and have adapted well, I’ll continue training to adapt myself better.

You renewed with Pride for four fights, in your contract is there a possibility to fight in the UFC?

The possibility exists yes, I can fight in the UFC or in Pride.

Dana White said after the loss of Wanderlei Silva that a fight between he and Chuck Liddell would now be impracticle, and when questioned on a fight between you and Liddell, he scoffed asking “who is Shogun…”

Ha ha ha… If he does not know me, now he is going to know, I am going to fight in his event, this year he is going to know me.

You cannot choose your opponents, but would you like other fights to adapt before facing the best of the UFC?

In truth I already fought with the best fighters in the world, and I am ready for whoever is to come. It’s not necessary for me to prove anything to anybody, everyone [knows] of my potential, and what I can do in fights.

Tito Ortiz declared recently that he would like to fight with you…

He is a very good athlete and strong, I would like to face him yes, with certainty I would like that fight.

Does the possibility of a rematch with Renato Sobral motivate you to fight in the UFC?

Definitely! It is a fight that now can happen and I would like it very much it if did.

Speaking a little on the rivalry, Paulão Filho declared that Wanderlei Silva is beneath him, and that now he wants you…

Paulão is a good athlete, but I am above him, and the only thing he wants is for people to give him attention and credit. I do not give respect to a man who only wants to appear in the media.

Since Vítor Belfort did not materialize as a Brazilian phenomenon, and many point you as a new phenomenon, does this weigh on you?

I only concentrate on giving my best. If I begin to think that I am already the best in the world, I will not fight that way. It’s the fighters job to give 100% percent.

Thanks for the interview, can you leave a message for your fans…

I love all my fans, and I want to say that the people who follow me and cheer for me, are my biggest motivation. I will be always be training to give a show to my fans, friends and family.