Mauricio Shogun Rua grew up in Pride © UFC Enlarge

Mauricio Shogun Rua has told ESPN that he believes stomps should be made legal in the UFC.

Former Pride star Shogun has spent the majority of his career in competitions permitting stomps, and he is a huge advocate of that particular weapon.

The UFC had to outlaw the technique in order to bring the sport of MMA into the mainstream, a move Rua completely understands as president Dana White continues to take the sport into new territories.

However, the weekend's Strikeforce event saw fellow Brazilian Fabricio Werdum willingly hitting the mat in order to avoid a striking contest with Alistair Overeem, a tactic that may not have proved so tempting had stomps and soccer kicks still been permitted.

Shogun has finished a handful of opponents with one of the two techniques in his career, and his own view is that elbows have more reason to be outlawed.

"In Brazil MMA is ready for the UFC now," Shogun told ESPN. "Many people have seen the UFC, many people like MMA. It's very popular now, and after UFC 134 on August 27 it will change even more because people will see this big show.

"I hope for a change in rules. The stomps... my opinion is elbows are more dangerous than stomps."

Asked directly if he would like the UFC to make stomps legal, Shogun answered: "Yes!"

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.