The legendary MMA fighter Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua is reaching the end of his tenured career. Hall of Fame fighter, UFC Champion, PRIDE Grand Prix Champion, Shogun Rua has earned the top titles in his storied career. And now, at age 39, the Brazilian-born, Shogun Rua says he will have two more fights and then retire.
Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua – Two More Fights
Going 2-2-1 in his last five fights Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua is well aware of his age. The two losses coming by way of the top-ranked Anthony Smith and Scottish fighter Paul Craig. Shogun Rua’s wins in this time were over a 44-year-old Antônio Rogério Nogueira, and an unranked Tyson Pedro. After this most recent run UFC President Dana White, and many fans, had implored the legendary fighter to consider retirement. The Brazilian sat down with AG Fight and said he will be looking to retire soon but wants two more fights.
“I must do two more fights and stop. That’s my goal.” Said Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua. “Do one or two more (fights). And the moment I stop, I will be happy with myself and thankful to God. I’m an accomplished guy with my career. My only fear is to stop and then regret that I stopped a little early. But if I do two more (fights), I won’t have this problem.”
UFC President Dana White after Shogun’s previous bout had said that maybe his time has come. “(Paul Craig) looked good. And not to take anything away from him at all…he came in and did what he had to do tonight. But just being honest, Shogun didn’t look like Shogun to me tonight. Shogun looked old and looked like a shell of his former self tonight. So, yeah, I’d like to see him hang it up, hopefully.”
The UFC light heavyweight division has 41 fighters on contract. Shogun Rua, and the UFC, will likely match him up with an unranked opponent as the former champion is also currently unranked. Who these might be we will wait and see. But, Shogun will likely be seeking to cap off his legendary career on a victory.
Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua – Legendary Career
Hall of Fame fighter, UFC Champion, PRIDE Grand Prix Champion, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua has collected the most coveted title in MMA. He competed during the golden age of MMA’s light heavyweight division. In Shogun’s run, he fought a roster of stand-out and notable fighters. The history of MMA could nearly be told just from his record alone. Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua fought UFC Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, K-1 Champion and UFC contender Alistair Overeem, UFC Champion and PRIDE Grand Prix champion Mark “The Hammer” Coleman, UFC Champion Kevin Randleman, UFC Champion Forrest Griffin, UFC Champion Chuck Liddell, UFC Champion Lyoto Machida, MMA great and UFC Champion Jon Jones, Two Division PRIDE Champion and UFC contender Dan Henderson. Additionally, Shogun Rua fought other notable fighters such as Anthony Smith, Chael Sonnen, Alexander Gustafsson, Brandon Vera, Kazuhiro Nakamura, Akihiro Gono, Ricardo Arona, Antônio Rogério Nogueira, Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos, and others.
He won the 2005 PRIDE Grand Prix at just age 23 and would be ranked number 1 in this division. After having a rough start in the UFC he eventually would capture the UFC title. But, then in a torch-passing moment, he was defeated by a 23-year-old Jon Jones. Fighting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua was able to avenge an earlier loss to Forrest Griffin via TKO.
A legendary fighter and a storied career are coming to an end. Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua has earned his place already in the UFC Hall of Fame and has collected the sports’ best titles. Two more fights and the Brazilian can rest happily with his family. “They say it is impossible but I’ve overcome the odds before.” Says ‘Shogun’ Rua.
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