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UFC: Jimi Manuwa has paid little attention to Shogun's iconic record ahead of Brazilian battle

Gustafsson has aided Manuwa's preparation

Jimi Manuwa during a light heavyweight fight at the UFC on Fuel TV event at Capital FM Arena on September 29
Image: Jimi Manuwa meets Shogun Rua next

Jimi Manuwa looks up to nobody within his sport so it is hardly surprising that he struggles to recall any previous fights of his legendary upcoming opponent Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua.

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The London light-heavyweight fights abroad for the first time by stepping into Rua’s home country of Brazil and meeting the respected veteran at Fight Night in Uberlandia on November 8.

But Manuwa can’t recall any of Rua’s fights despite the Brazilian’s stellar resume.

“Who did he fight?” Manuwa asks Sky Sports. Perhaps Chuck Liddell, Jon Jones or Dan Henderson?

“He’s fought everybody, hasn’t he? I can’t really remember,” Manuwa confesses.

Far from being disrespectful, Manuwa’s ignorance to Rua’s world championships and all-time great contests is steely faith in his own ability to secure a career-defining victory against a far more experienced opponent.

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Pure business

“I was a fan of Shogun when I first started watching the UFC,” he told Sky Sports.

I want to enjoy the people, soak up the sun and go to the beach so it's a shame I've got to go there and smash one of their legends.
Jimi Manuwa

“Shogun and Anderson Silva were my favourites. He was aggressive, he throws hard low kicks and punches and was always fun to watch. I remember watching his fight when he won the belt. He's fought everyone and I was a big fan, I always wanted him to win.

“But come November when I'm in the cage there will be no respect, no looking at him and idolising him. It's pure business and it will be hell for him, then I'll respect him and shake hands after.

“I believe I'm a fresher fighter, I'm more destructive than him and I've got harder punches. I'm more aggressive and I'll be putting the fight to him.”

Learning

Alexander 'The Mauler' Gustafsson punches Jon 'Bones' Jones in their UFC light heavyweight championship bout
Image: Manuwa enlisted the help of Gustafsson to prepare for Shogun

Manuwa will be returning for the first time since losing his undefeated record to Alexander Gustafsson on home turf in March but now can count on the Swede as an ally. Since that loss, Manuwa has sharpened his skills in Gustafsson’s Stockholm gym.

“I know the mistakes I made against Gustafsson and I won't do that again,” Manuwa continued.

“I was thinking more about having to go for five rounds than the actual fight in front of me. I wasn't being my usual aggressive self, I was trying to move around too much and Alex capitalised because he saw I was just plodding along. He caught me sleeping.

“I had two holidays because I was a bit down for the first couple of weeks after the fight but I pulled myself together because I've got good people around me. I took nothing but positivity away from the fight.

“We were always going to train together, even before we fought. We said we'd get the fight out of the way and then train afterwards. We both had another fight scheduled so we said we'd help each other out. It's a great team and coaches out here. I'm learning new things every day and it's been great for me. “

Gustafsson has a past victory over Rua so has been an ideal aid to Manuwa as he approaches the daunting trip to South America.

He said: “I've thought about the atmosphere. Obviously they will be on Shogun's side but I don't understand Portuguese so whatever they shout at me I won't understand. So I'll just walk to the cage and put their champion away.

“But the thing about Brazilian fans is that they respect top fighters and I will win them over. When my hand is raised I believe they will cheer for me.

“I've never been to Brazil but I've always wanted to go - although it's not the circumstances I'd like to go. I want to enjoy the people, soak up the sun and go to the beach so it's a shame I've got to go there and smash one of their legends.”

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