UFC 5 - SHOGUN VS GRIFFIN

UFC 5 - SHOGUN VS GRIFFIN

At UFC 76, Forrest Griffin faced Maurício "Shogun" Rua, who was widely regarded as the #1 light heavyweight fighter in the world at the time by several MMA publications. Shogun was the PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Champion and was expected to easily defeat Griffin, with many experts predicting a lopsided victory for the Brazilian.

Griffin was a massive underdog heading into the fight against the highly touted Shogun. He was coming off a TKO loss to Keith Jardine just a few months prior, where he was brutally knocked out in the first round. Meanwhile, Shogun was riding an impressive 7-fight winning streak and was in the prime of his career.

The general consensus was that Griffin's gritty style and heart would not be enough to overcome Shogun's superior striking and well-rounded skillset. Shogun was seen as the heavy favorite, with many anticipating he would quickly dispatch Griffin and become the long-reigning UFC light heavyweight champion.

Despite the overwhelming odds against him, Griffin embraced the underdog role and vowed to pull off the massive upset against the dangerous Shogun. The stage was set for an epic David vs. Goliath clash at UFC 76.