Image Credit: UFC.com
Shogun Rua returns at UFC 283 against Ihor Potieria
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Shogun Rua will return at UFC 283 against Contender Series alum Ihor Potieria.
MMAMania.com was the first to report that Shogun vs. Potieria will take place at UFC 283, which is set for January 23, 2023, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At this point in time, it’s too early to say where this fight will be placed on the card, although due to Shogun’s name value, it’s possible this will be a main card PPV fight.
Shogun (27-13-1) is the former UFC light heavyweight champion. Now 40 years of age, Shogun will actually be 41 by the time this fight comes around in January. Although he is one of the greatest light heavyweights of all time, Shogun has struggled in recent years. He has lost his last two fights against Ovince Saint Preux and Paul Craig, the latter via knockout, with his last victory coming in July 2020 when he defeated Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. It’s possible this fight against Potieira could be the last time Shogun fights in MMA.
Potieria (18-3) won a UFC contract after picking up a big win on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2021. He then made his UFC debut at UFC 277 in August 2022, but lost via second-round knockout to Nicolae Negumereanu. That was a tough loss for Potieria, as it snapped a 15-fight win streak for the Ukrainian fighter. It’s difficult to say where Potieria stacks up amongst the rest of the UFC light heavyweight division, with his win streak coming against mostly unknown opposition, and his one UFC fight coming against an unranked fighter. He certainly seems talented, but at the same time, it’s difficult to gauge whether or not he’s a UFC-caliber fighter just based on the one fight that he had in the Octagon.
It will be interesting to see what the betting odds for this fight will be. While Shogun is a big name and Potieira hasn’t proven anything in the UFC, it’s still possible Potieira could be the favorite to win the fight.
Who do you think wins at UFC 283, Shogun Rua or Ihor Potieria?
