Dana White says Shogun rather be cut than fight Glover Teixeira

[Best80smovieRAD]

Dana sure is throwing Shogun under the bus here

mmafighting

Jun 9, 2012 - When the UFC announced the upcoming UFC on FOX 4 replacement main event, the pairing -- Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Brandon Vera -- was met with a collective groan.

It didn't quite seem to make sense that Rua would be matched up with a fighter who was briefly cut as recently as last year. Now we know why. As UFC president Dana White explained, it was a matchup of necessity after a rejected offer to fight UFC newcomer Glover Teixeira. In fact, according to White, Rua's team was so intent on staying away from the dangerous Teixeira that they were willing to sacrifice his job if necessary.

"He said that he'd actually rather be cut than have to fight him," White said during a UFC on FX 3 post-fight interview with Ariel Helwani. "Dude, nobody wants to fight this guy. We're trying to match the guy up with somebody, but he didn't mind fighting Brandon Vera, so he's fighting Brandon Vera."

After years of visa issues, Teixeira (18-2) just made his octagon debut at UFC 146, crushing Kyle Kingsbury in a first-round knockout. Teixeira has won 16 consecutive fights, with 15 finishes during that time.

Rua (20-6) hasn't fought since his UFC 139 war with Dan Henderson last November, a fight he lost by unanimous decision. White seemed to back off from personally blaming Rua for the decision to turn down the offered bout, instead placing the blame on his management group.

"I don't want to sound like I'm disrespecting Shogun, because I'm not," he said. "I'm just telling the truth. It's verbatim what his people said when we talked to them. You know me. I tell it like it is. If you don't want that out in public, then don't say it to me on the phone, because I'm going to say what was said. Shogun's a warrior. The guy's fought everybody from PRIDE to the UFC. His last fight with Dan Henderson was awesome. It is what it is."

[Str8Ryt]

This just sounds like Dana Hyping Glover for his next fight to me. I do not think for one moment that Shogun is scared to fight anyone in the LHW division.

[HugeMMAFan]

This just sounds like Dana Hyping Glover for his next fight to me. I do not think for one moment that Shogun is scared to fight anyone in the LHW division.

It's also bait. It's bait Shogun to:

A. Have issues with his own managers (Dana hates managers)
B. To make Shogun say basically: "I'll fight him anytime! Bring it on!"

[flarg]

This just sounds like Dana Hyping Glover for his next fight to me. I do not think for one moment that Shogun is scared to fight anyone in the LHW division.

I'm sure he said it, but not because he was scared which is what Dana is implying.

[Buckery]

From my perspective the guy is on a 2 fight losing streak, who are they supposed to give him? Some rematch with a name he's already fought. I don't see a problem with giving him Teixeira. Shogun knows there's a risk to lose this fight (him or his managers do). He knows he's not the same fighter he was years ago.

This, 'I just want to fight name' bull**** is getting old. How are younger fighters ever going to make a name when every former champ seems it OK to pick and choose their opponents on the back end of their careers. It should never happen. It's the UFC and nobody wants to watch Shogun fight Machida again right now. If you want a win try to get one against an upstart and shut up.

Seriously. This is becoming very commonplace now. Between fighters being injured and fighters waiting for title shots and these other fighters who only want to fight other legends. SHUT UP.. AND FIGHT. Period.

[BBHitman]

Seriously. This is becoming very commonplace now. Between fighters being injured and fighters waiting for title shots and these other fighters who only want to fight other legends. SHUT UP.. AND FIGHT. Period.

Injured fighters should lose the title, period. I'm so sick of titles being put on hold and interim titles. An attribute of a long reigning champ should be durability. Even though I'm not a Jon Jones fan, his 4 title fight wins in 13 months is more impressive than GSP and his 7 title fight wins in 50 months.

It's not like if Nadal was hurt and couldn't compete at the French Open this year they would call the new winner the "Interim French Open Champion" and let Nadal hold the title until he was able to compete again. You're hurt and can't fight, we'll move one without you and welcome you back with open arms when you're healthy. A fighter is making no positive contributions when he's sitting on the sidelines and should not get to keep the title around his waist during this period of inactivity.

Just my .02

[Heineken23]

Injured fighters should lose the title, period.

I have to disagree. It doesn't matter what you call Condit's belt. Until he beats GSP he is not the champion. The same goes for the other divisions if the champion is injured. You cant knock off a number 1 contender and then call yourself the champion of that weight class when everyone knows damn well the real champion is out injured.

[LiveinTokyo]

I have to disagree. It doesn't matter what you call Condit's belt. Until he beats GSP he is not the champion. The same goes for the other divisions if the champion is injured. You cant knock off a number 1 contender and then call yourself the champion of that weight class when everyone knows damn well the real champion is out injured.

While I agree with your point I must admit I don't like the interim title thing - why not take the title from the champ if they can't defend it due to injury, but grant them an immediate title shot upon their return? I really think this leads to more money opportunities for the champ upon their return, as well as other fighters in the division (not to mention the UFC as well).

In the current system people are almost encouraged to sit on the bench waiting for their turn in line rather than fight and I think that is bad for the division, the fans, and in the long run the fighters as well.

[Heineken23]

In the current system people are almost encouraged to sit on the bench waiting for their turn in line rather than fight and I think that is bad for the division, the fans, and in the long run the fighters as well.

I agree and i don't like fighters waiting 3 quarters of a year for their title shot either. I understand why they do it but as a fan it's pretty frustrating. I don't like interim titles either. It's a number 1 contender belt and outside of that it's meaningless.

why not take the title from the champ if they can't defend it due to injury, but grant them an immediate title shot upon their return?

I wouldn't have a problem with this if the injury was going to keep them out for 9+ months. I also wouldn't mind if they just scrap the interim belts and leave it as it is.

[tyrannor]

From my perspective the guy is on a 2 fight losing streak, who are they supposed to give him? Some rematch with a name he's already fought. I don't see a problem with giving him Teixeira. Shogun knows there's a risk to lose this fight (him or his managers do). He knows he's not the same fighter he was years ago.

This, 'I just want to fight name' bull**** is getting old. How are younger fighters ever going to make a name when every former champ seems it OK to pick and choose their opponents on the back end of their careers. It should never happen. It's the UFC and nobody wants to watch Shogun fight Machida again right now. If you want a win try to get one against an upstart and shut up.

Seriously. This is becoming very commonplace now. Between fighters being injured and fighters waiting for title shots and these other fighters who only want to fight other legends. SHUT UP.. AND FIGHT. Period.

Shogun beat Griffin in between so he is not on a losing streak. And I would very much like it if he fought Machida.
Gustaffson would be fine though.