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MURILO “Ninja” RUA
Murilo “Ninja” Rua exemplifies what mixed martial arts is all about: heart, courage, and determination. Never one to back down from a fight, he’s taken on all comers, and win or lose, has always put on high-energy, exciting performances. Now, the time has come for Ninja to showcase his skills in Shine Fights.
Born and raised in Curitiba, Brazil, Ninja (18-10-1) is the older brother and Universidade da luta teammate of UFC light heavyweight contender Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Ninja began his career in his home country, running off four straight stoppage wins. His impressive beginning to his career earned him a call from Japan, and he soon began to make a name for himself as an athlete that finishes fights. After his time in PRIDE, Ninja moved to England’s Cage Rage promotion, before making his way to the United States. Since then, he has competed in both EliteXC and StrikeForce, while still making appearances in Japan, England, and his native Brazil.
Over the course of his nine-year career, he has faced many of the top fighters in MMA, including PRIDE/UFC veteran Akihiro Gono, former PRIDE Middleweight and Welterweight Champion Dan Henderson, former PRIDE contenders Sergei Kharitonov and Ricardo Arona, StrikeForce fighters Benji Radach and Kevin Randleman, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, former WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Fihlo, UFC fighter Denis Kang, Japanese fighter Riki Fukuda, and Strikeforce middleweight contender Robbie Lawler. Ninja has defeated notables such as Mario Sperry, Alex Stiebling, Mark Weir, Xavier Foupa- Pokam, and Joey Villasenor, who he beat for the EliteXC Middleweight Championship belt.
Known for his well-rounded skills with specialties in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 16 of his 18 wins have come via stoppage (eight submissions and eight knockouts), and he always puts on a show for the fans, win or lose.
In keeping with his exciting style, Ninja has a promise for the Shine Fights fans: “I'll always try to give great performances, making it for great spectacles for my fans and if God helps, try to win a belt, which will certainly be another great dream for me.”
http://www.cdn.sherdog.com/thumbnail_crop/600/_images/pictures/20090406053906_DGH10866.JPG
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