Former Pride fighter Mauricio "Shogun" Rua lost the first fight of his Ultimate Fighting Championship career Saturday night, submitting to Forrest Griffin in a stunning upset at UFC 76.Rua, whom many MMA fans considered the best light heavyweight in the world, entered the Octagon first, which is usually the role of the underdog. But having Griffin enter the Octagon second was a nod to his popularity as the first Ultimate Fighter winner. Just about everyone expected Rua to win, and most people expected Rua to win easily.
Griffin's win is, without a doubt, the biggest upset of the night. It's also by far the biggest win of his career. Griffin dominated the entire fight, and finally got Rua to tap out with a rear naked choke with just seconds left in the third and final round.
Joe Rogan said to Griffin at the conclusion of the fight that the fight establishes him as one of the top 10 light heavyweights, but that's an understatement. This win establishes him as a potential contender to get a title shot against champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, which no one would have taken seriously an hour ago.
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