Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua Predicts A Rematch With Antonio 'Minotoro' Nogueira After Machida Fight

"I believe every fight is tough, but the fights with Lyoto and Minotoro were the toughest I had. Fans want that fight [with Rogerio] again and I think we're going to meet each other again," Rua told Fighters Only.

"Minotoro is a guy I respect a lot and we talk often. Nobody can be underestimated, he is at the top of the category, and he has proved that. I'm sure that fight will happen soon," Rua added.

The first time the two Brazilians squared off, in the now defunct Japanese Pride Fighting Championships, fans saw what is considered one of the best battles the organization has put together.

Rua and Nogueira fought in the middleweight (205lbs in Pride) grand-prix finals back in 2005, going back and forth until the fight was decided in Shogun's favor after three rounds.

Both fighters currently have UFC opponents to defeat before a rematch can come to fruition. Rua will rematch Machida for the light-heavyweight title in May at UFC 113 and Nogueira will compete against fan-favorite and former 205lbs champion, Forrest Griffin, towards the end of the same month at UFC 114.