Shogun Rua to Not Train at Kings MMA in Preparation for UFC 139

Despite reuniting with former coach and mentor Rafael Cordeiro, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will not continue training at Kings MMA.

This time, however, the Brazilian will train elsewhere ahead of his upcoming bout with Dan Henderson at UFC 139. 

Rua's manager, Eduardo Alonso, told Sherdog.com that the former UFC light heavyweight champion would reside in Sao Paulo, Brazil to continue his training regimen. Rua trained there previously in preparation for his bout with Chuck Liddell at UFC 97. 

Although Cordeiro had no prior knowledge of Rua leaving Kings MMA, he said he understands his decision to return to Brazil and he holds no hard feelings towards him.

“There’s no problem. If he believes it would be easier for him to train [in Sao Paulo], then it’s great, go there," Cordeiro told Sherdog.com. "I want to see him holding the belt again. Life is made by choices and it was his and his team’s choice."

Cordeiro invited Rua to train at Kings MMA in California to prepare for his rematch with Forrest Griffin at UFC 134. He had formerly trained the 29-year-old while he performed in PRIDE FC from 2003 to 2007 and had hoped to rekindle his roots from his early days in the Chute Boxe academy.

After reuniting with Cordeiro,"Shogun" followed up a poor performance against Jon Jones at UFC 128 by scoring a knockout victory over Griffin. Following the impressive performance, it appeared that Rua had finally found the right training camp to help him reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title.

While Rua has made the choice to return to Brazil, Cordeiro said he would welcome the former PRIDE star back to Kings MMA with open arms.

"Those athletes with the spirit of hard-working group mentality are welcome. This is the methodology that is helping us to grow. In that way, Kings MMA’s doors will always be open to Shogun," he said.