The fight was in the opening round of the Pride 2005 middleweight (205 lbs.) grand prix. Rua went on to win the tournament.
The Fight[]
The fight began. Shogun landed a hard shot. They clinched against the ropes and exchanged knees in the clinch. The referee broke the clinch eventually. Rampage landed a hard shot and they clinched again with Shogun landing hard knees close to Rampage's chin. Rampage broke the clinch and took a head kick. Rampage looked rattled. He backed into the corner and they clinched again. The referee broke the clinch. Shogun landed a hard shot. Shogun clinched with him again and continued landing the hard knees to the body, dominating the fight and (later known) breaking Rampage's ribs. Rampage landed a knee and then another. Shogun landed a pair of knees and the referee broke the clinch. Shogun landed a hard shot and rocked Rampage. They clinched. Shogun took Rampage down and went down into half-guard. Shogun passed to side control and went for full mount but Rampage stood and ate some big knees in the clinch. Shogun landed a big right to the liver. Shogun landed a knee to the face. Rampage went for a takedown and continued taking knees and kicks. They stood in a clinch and Rampage nearly collapsed into the corner. Rampage went down and took a trio of soccer kicks before the referee stopped the fight. Shogun had won the fight by TKO.