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Who wins the "Shogun" Rua vs. Ovince St. Preux fight at UFC Fight Night 56, and how?
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I live in a universe where I'm being asked to ponder if Shogun Rua can beat Ovince St. Preux. Please retire, Shogun. Please retire win-or-lose.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think OSP takes this one. Shogun has been slowed by age and injuries, and just the accumulation of all the fights he's been in. Shogun has been done as a high-level fighter for a while now, but it'd be great to see him summon it up one final time and knock out OSP. Then he could follow that by riding off into the sunset and retirement. I highly doubt that happens, though, as he'll likely stick around for several more fights until the UFC has no choice but to force him to retire. I think OSP knocks Shogun out late in the fight.
KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think OSP's wrestling will be the difference as he controls Shogun for the entirety of the fight. I could even see him perhaps getting a submission. Only way I see Shogun being able to win is by a KO; I don't see him being able to dominate OSP for a decision win.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Shogun is old, he's beat up, and he's so far past his prime that Brett Favre finds it funny. However I don't find OSP a viable threat to him. Shogun by KO.
TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
Totally devastated for Jimi Manuwa that he had to pull out of his fight with Mauricio Rua. It's gone from a fight I was excited to see to just a run-of-the-mill fight, with very little to get excited about.
For OSP to come away with the victory on Saturday night, he will have to frustrate Shogun, use his size advantage, and his grappling skills, to try to get Shogun to the mat where he can do some damage.
I just can't see past a Shogun win. At some point between the first and fifth round Shogun will land a punch on OSP, and it'll be all over.
The only thing I like about this fight is the (-160) odds on Shogun to win.
Prediction: Shogun Rua KO RD2.
[Shogun Rua art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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