Rua’s first UFC fight that really resembled his style came at UFC 97 towards former UFC Mild Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell. He knocked him out within the first spherical with a vicious left hook adopted by hammer fists. The thrilling win catapulted him into the highest ten rankings, thus giving him an opportunity to compete for the Light Heavyweight Championship.
However Paulo Thiago is used to robust opponents. As a member of probably the most elite unit in the Brazilian Navy Police (BOPE), Thiago has confronted countless drug dealers, gangsters and assorted criminals. A nice American boy like Josh Koscheck needs to be a welcome distraction from the thugs he offers with everyday on the streets of Brazil.