Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua Retires From MMA at UFC 283

Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua Retires From MMA at UFC 283

MMA pioneer and former UFC champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has retired from MMA after 21 years in the sport. Going into UFC 283, the plan was for Rua to retire after his bout with Ihor Potieria. Unfortunately, Rua was unable to get one last victory as lost by knockout in the first round. 

“First of all, sorry you guys,” Rua said in his octagon interview. “I wanted to end my career with a win, but I am going to stop it right here. I am going to end my career here. I have been in the game for 21 years; in the UFC for 16. I have to thank my fans, everyone, Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, everyone at the UFC that made it happen all these years.

Rua was unable to craft a positive ending to his illustrious MMA career. That is alright though; most fighters share the same fate. On a positive note, he was able to call it a career in his home country of Brazil. That is a fitting way for Rua to go out as he helped advance the sport of MMA in Brazil over more than a decade. 

At 41 years old, Rua’s time in the sport was certainly running low as he was not the dominant fighter that was proved to be in his prime. With that being said, Rua’s prime resulted in a historic MMA career. 

Rua has a trophy case like no other as he won the PRIDE Grand Prix in 2005 before winning the UFC light heavyweight championship in 2010. If that wasn’t enough, his fight with Dan Henderson was inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame. 

Rua’s retirement nearly closes the door to a beautiful era of MMA. Before UFC 283, he was one of three UFC fighters on the roster that had fought in PRIDE. Now, Nick Diaz and Robbie Lawler are the only ones that remain.

Rua finished his MMA career with a 27-14-1 record with an 11-12 UFC record. That record may not jump off the page, but that is what happens when you fight elite opponents for two decades.

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