mma / News

Shogun Rua Frustrated Over UFC On ESPN+ 22 Draw, Wants a Rematch

November 17, 2019 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas

Shogun Rua spoke following UFC on ESPN+ 22 about his split decision draw against Paul Craig, saying he’s frustrated with the result and wants a rematch. Rua and Craig went to the judges and it went 28-29, 29-28, 28-28. Highlights from his comments are below, per MMA Weekly:

On his performance in the fight: “I clearly knew that I had lost the first round. I won the second and third. My corner oriented me and said the same thing, and I was conscious of that. Everyone that I’ve talked to after the fight said the same thing including people from the UFC: judges, matchmakers. So I didn’t really understand the criteria that the judges used to give the victory. It’s something that’s not in our control, and it happens.”

On the fight being called a draw: “It’s pretty frustrating because I can’t understand the judges criteria. I think that I clearly won. He won the first round, but I won the second and third.”

On a possible rematch: “He’s already been talking about a rematch. I don’t know where. I’ll accept it. I think that we deserve a rematch for this fight. I don’t think this was resolved. I would accept it if Paul would accepts it. If the UFC wants it I’ll accept it. I think we deserve a rematch for this fight.”