Pros Pick: Coleman vs. Shogun II

Their first battle ended in controversial (and grotesque) fashion. Mark “The Hammer” Coleman was finishing a takedown when Mauricio “Shogun” Rua posted his arm and broke it in the process of trying to scramble away.

Now, nearly three years later, Coleman and Rua are set to square off again this Saturday at UFC 93. Sherdog.com contacted dozens upon dozens of pros for their thoughts on the rematch, but not many were brave enough to put their reputations on the line:

Kevin Burns: Shogun wins decisively.

Luigi Fioravanti: Shogun by submission or TKO.

Jaime Fletcher: I think this fight should be interesting. Nothing motivates a fighter like a fight they feel like they should have won. I think Shogun is more dynamic in everything except for wrestling and strength. Coleman is OG and I love the dude like family, but I’m thinking Rua comes back on point hungry and looking to solidify himself in the 205-pound division again. I think Shogun wins by TKO or submission (in the) first round unless Coleman can put him on his back and pound him out.

Cung Le: Shogun by TKO.

Shannon Gugerty: Shogun by murder!

James Zikic: Both fighters have been inactive for a long spell. It'll be interesting to see how Shogun reacts after the tough loss to Forrest. What will his mental state be like? I predict Coleman to pull off another upset!

Din Thomas: I gotta love Coleman for his loyalty and passion to the game, but I think he’s seen his better days. I think Rua may be too much. Rua by TKO.

Kit Cope: In a cage especially, Coleman should dominate Shogun. Age is the only factor that should come into play against Mark, but education and technology trumps that these days.

Shawn Tompkins: Mark Coleman is going to be too much for Shogun. Second round TKO.

Mike Whitehead: Shogun by TKO.

John Hackleman: Shogun by knees.

Pete Sell: Shogun by KO.

Joe Stevenson: Well, I’m going for Mark because he’s my friend. And on top of that, unless Shogun shows me some improvement from his last fight and just comes out on fire, I just see a big size difference and the ability to slow the action for Mark. The cage is (going to be) his advantage.

Nick Thompson: Coleman via freak injury … that or Shogun by anything else.

Zac George: If Coleman stands, he gets hurt, and if he becomes a blanket on the ground, he gets tapped.

Jamie Varner: Shogun by TKO.

Gabe Ruediger: EHHH, who cares? I kid, I kid! Shogun should win this. Coleman has wrestling but hasn’t adapted or learned any other portion of fighting, whereas Shogun has good standup and ground.

James Thompson: Coleman looks well, and I think suits light heavyweight better. But (I’m) going with Shogun as he’s a lot more well rounded.

Stephane Vigneault: I see Shogun getting his redemption and finishing Coleman with a TKO in round three. I think this time Shogun is gonna be in top shape.

Jonathan Goulet: Shogun all the way via KO in the third round.

Randy Couture: If Coleman has the gas to be aggressive in all three rounds, he’ll win with his ground-and-pound style. If he dumps his load in the first, Rua will win.

Rick Roufus: Rua will keep backing up. Coleman will try taking him down and ground-and-pound him and lay on him. Rua by strikes.

Jason Lambert: Shogun by KO.

Patrick Cote: I think Shogun will win this one! The first time it was just bad luck, and if he is 100 percent, he will win before the third round.

Pros who picked Coleman to win: 4
Pros who picked Rua to win: 19
Pros who couldn’t decide: 2