10 Legendary MMA Fighters You've Probably Never Heard Of

Video of the Day: Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua vs. Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos

(Video courtesy of YouTube/JustinThoj)

If you’re part of the growing contingent of MMA fans who aren’t convinced that UFC light heavyweight champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is resilient enough to gut out a win against a tough raw talent like Jon Jones, the video above of the then-22-year-old former Chuteboxe fighter taking on future teammate Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (no, the other Cyborg) might change your mind.

The fight, which took place at Meca World Vale Tudo 9 August 1, 2003, saw the young future champion fight through the adversity of getting dropped by his opponent and manhandled for much of the opening round to patiently recover, improve his position and finish Santos on the ground with strikes. Sure, that was eight years ago, and Shogun was much younger then, but he also has a ton more experience and ring savvy than he did then. He has six years more cage seasoning than Jones, and has fought for a title three times in his career, which are two factors that could help play a deciding role in their fight on March 19.


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rogerw- March 9, 2011 at 10:40 pm
If that's Shogun's most impressive fight, my money's more on Jones than before.
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TheHulkSmash- March 9, 2011 at 8:13 pm
I'm shocked at how bad Rua looks in this fight. His boxing is terrible in terms of both offense and defense. His takedowns are garbage. His transition to mount from side control looked like an awkward white belt trying to figure out what to do. Santos gassed, and that was the fight.

Obviously Rua's improved since then, but if that same fighter were to step into the cage against Bones Jones it would be an f-ing massacre. Bones Jones was a better fighter than that when he was fighting his mom - kicking her belly from the inside.
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Bootylam- March 9, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Hey man I just love seeing Cyborg getting his ass whupped. He's almost as bad as Babalu.
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k-onda- March 9, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Here, let me crap on Santos - this fight was how long ago? And he just got made to look like a rookie on the ground by Diaz recently. After this fight and how many others - over how many years - could he have improved in that area?
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k-onda- March 9, 2011 at 5:18 pm
So he was young and hung tough in a fight, meh. I didn't see Cyborg throwing any spinning-back-fists, or hurdle him like he was playing "leap-frog" to take his back, and I didn't see him suplex him like a damn child - so when I see Shogun has taken on someone like that, then lets talk.
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RearNakedSpoon- March 9, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Well if Jones executes the perfect game plan and has no errors he might see himself to getting KTFO in the 3rd round instead of the 1st ;)
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NinjaNerd8- March 9, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Don't crap on Santos. He has a deceptively bad record but he's a solid fighter. Just lacks a significant ground game.
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510koaLa- March 9, 2011 at 3:19 pm
shogun all the way...i hope pride shogun comes out
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Hesh to Steel- March 9, 2011 at 3:19 pm
Interesting bout since Shogun now competes at 205 and Cyborg's most recent fight was at 170. That fight also really appeared to be a case of cyborg punching himself out early and just being completely gassed in a couple of minutes.
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SacrificeTheMinions- March 9, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Shogun is going to win, but I don't really see your point in bringing Cyborg Santos into the mix.
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intercept440- March 9, 2011 at 1:47 pm
is this another guest writer segment?????


FAIL! X 2
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hooligun- March 9, 2011 at 1:39 pm
mmm yeah, whatevs....
proves nothing, weak premise...
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Nut Puncher 9000- March 9, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Cyborg Santos is certainly no Jon Jones. Thats like saying since i can punch through this wet paper towel I can smash through that concrete wall.
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Fried Taco- March 9, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Yeah, but did they allow elbows to the head of a grounded opponent back then?
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