Look, when Shogun Rua speaks we all listen. Sure, Shogun Rua’s UFC run has had its ups and downs and he might be a great example of missed opportunity and a fighter who was at the top of his game at the wrong time in the wrong place, but Shogun Rua is without a doubt one of the best MMA fighters that we’ve ever seen. When asked about the transition to the UFC a few years ago he cited the lack of soccer kicks and the addition of elbows making the transition tough for him.
He also made a curious statement about elbows, siding with Nick Diaz who feels like they are more of a detriment than they appear to be to MMA. [link]
“I hope that one day, the UFC can legalize foot stomps and soccer kicks. It would be great. I miss it. During the PRIDE era, I have no recollection of anyone getting hurt badly from stomps or soccer kicks. Elbows, in truth, really do hurt an opponent.”