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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua may be able to return a bit sooner than expected, as Sherdog.com cites Rua's manager as stating the Champion is ahead of schedule on his recovery from a June knee surgery.
UFC President Dana White recently stated that Shogun would be out until March 2011 at the earliest, but according to Rua's manager Eduardo Alonso, Shogun's on track for a February return.
"Off the top of my head, I think of the Superbowl card in February, but this is something that could change depending on his recovery schedule and the UFC’s business schedule,” said Alonso. “But the way things are going right now, I can tell you that he’ll be ready sooner than expected."
Though there was a report from ESPN's Franklin McNeil before Shogun's UFC 113 bout with Lyoto Machida that Shogun had injured the knee heading into the fight, Alonso said the injury occurred in the first round of the rematch.
"It was precisely on the second takedown where he tried to take down Machida and Machida stuffed it and ended up on top."
Shogun injured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, and underwent surgery on June 10.
Shogun's first title defense is expected to come against Rashad Evans, who defeated Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in a #1 contender's bout at UFC 114.
While Evans has expressed some willingness to rematch Lyoto Machida for an Interim title if the UFC wants to put that together, he has also stated he's just as content to wait for a healthy Shogun. If he can hold out, the bout could headline the UFC's Super Bowl weekend card in February.
Penick's Analysis: Getting him back a month ahead of schedule is great for the UFC. It also makes it less likely they got he Interim title rout, leaving Machida without an opponent still. Evans is fine sitting out, and since he'll likely now get a shot to headline a high profile card on Super Bowl weekend he's in a better spot to sit out as well. This will be a very good fight when it gets put together, so hopefully Shogun's recovery continues to go well and this timetable for return stays intact.
RELATED STORY: UFC NEWS: Lyoto Machida ready for a return, camp wants Interim Title fight with Rashad Evans: [CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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