"Keeping the belt is my top priority. This fight is the most important of my life. I'm making every sacrifice, like staying away from my friends and family because this fight means so much. I can relate to Jon's path. I was able to win the Pride Grand Prix belt when I was 23 and Jon's also 23 so it's a similar story, but I'm going to do everything in my power to not let him get a belt at 23. I think his biggest asset is his wrestling, but he's also a very good kick boxer even though he doesn't knock people out. He's always landing strikes which makes him tough. I did notice that he doesn't have big knockout power, but in this weight class if anyone lands a properly placed punch, people will go down. I think I can knock anyone out." -Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua breaks down his impending match up against virtually undefeated surging contender Jon Jones.

Rua (19-4) is thought to have a striking advantage against Jones who is himself a creative and improving striker with excellent greco-roman wrestling, top control, and fantastic throws. Jones has shown the ability to dominate other top notch wrestlers and will likely have the wrestling advantage, but he'll have to be careful when engaging in the clench against Rua who has top of the food chain jiu-jitsu.

The match up, which takes place a week from today, is being hailed as one of the most exciting of the first half of 2011, and will point the way toward how this division will shape out for years to come. The sportsbook has Jones listed as the favorite. Will Rua be able to fend off the young seemingly unstoppable juggernaut, or will Jones issue in a new era of supremacy in the UFC's light-heavyweight division?