Mauricio Rua (Pictures) has signed to fight Chuck Liddell (Pictures), the Brazilian told Sherdog.com.

"The fight against Liddell is confirmed," Rua said. "I signed the contract yesterday. Now I am going to train hard, focused on him, to represent my new team, Universidade da Luta, and my country. The fight is going to be in June."

Rua, 16-3, debuted in the UFC in September 2007 after a career in Pride that had earned him a reputation as one of the best light heavyweights in the world. However, Forrest Griffin (Pictures) upset "Shogun" at UFC 76, submitting him with a rear-naked choke in the third round.

The Brazilian left the storied Chute Boxe camp last year. He recently returned to training after knee surgery and is in the process of establishing a new team with his brother, Murilo Rua (Pictures).

In December, Liddell defeated the Rua brothers' former Chute Boxe teammate Wanderlei Silva (Pictures) via unanimous decision. The long-awaited fight was seen as a critical victory for "The Iceman." He had lost two bouts in a row before bouncing back with the decisive win over Silva.