Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua’s UFC Japan return cancelled after further knee injury

The Shogun’s return to Japan has been put on hold with news breaking Sunday morning that Mauricio Rua had reinjured his wobbly knee and has been forced to pull out of this coming Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 117.

With Rua now out, the UFC has turned to the veteran Yushin “Thunder” Okami (34-10) and offered the local favourite a golden opportunity to re-ignite his career in the world’s top promotion after having cut him loose back in September 2013.

Since then, the 36-year-old Okami has taken on the role of a roving prize fighter, his record of 5-2 over the past four years including bouts with the World Series of Fighting (now known as the Professional Fighters League), Deep and Pancrase.

Okami will line up against Saint Preux buoyed by a 4-0 steak – and the hope of another long-term contract with the UFC.

The UFC will be hoping his presence maintains interest in a card robbed of a much-anticipated rematch between Rua and Saint Preux after the American had knocked the Brazilian out just 34 seconds into their first clash at UFC Fight Night 56 in 2014.