Teixeira Vs Shogun Finally Happening After 14 Years At Spaten Fight Night 3 In Brazil

Glover Teixeira and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will finally run it back this year. Nearly 14 years after they sparred together, they will do it as opponents. The two former UFC light heavyweight champions are set to fight in the main event of Spaten Fight Night 3 on Aug. 29 in São Paulo, Brazil. And they will do so in boxing. Eight rounds of two minutes. Heavyweight limit of 242 pounds. These two were supposed to fight in the cage again back in 2012. Next month, we will see it come to life in the ring, under the ropes, over eight rounds and with two minutes of action per round.

Shogun Would Rather be Released

In 2012, the UFC tried to schedule this bout. Both men were top level light heavyweights. Both men were Brazilian. It all made too much sense. Then Shogun reportedly told Dana White that he’d rather be released from his contract than fight a countryman.

Consider that for a moment. He actually asked the UFC to release him if it meant taking this fight. It was dead in the water after that. Fight was called off, and the two went on their separate way. Fourteen years later and the two will finally fight each other. Just a different ballgame this time with different rules, in a different sport. But it’s still Teixeira vs Shogun, and it’s still in Brazil.

Both Stepped Down from MMA on the Same Night

There is a connection between those two things. Teixeira (33-8 MMA) and Shogun (27-13 MMA) both closed the book on their MMA careers at the same time and under the same circumstances. UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro, January of 2023. Teixeira came up short in his five round battle with Jamahal Hill for the vacant light heavyweight championship. Shogun was stopped by Ihor Potieria in the opening frame of the undercard. It was the last fight for both men.

Teixeira was 43 when he left his gloves, having recently become world champion the previous year, 42 year old Jan Blachowicz submitted to UFC 267, winning the UFC title. Debut Champion oldest in UFC history following that victory. Shogun won the same UFC title ten years prior to his defeat of Lyoto Machida at UFC 113. The 2005 PRIDE FC Grand Prix also won the greatest tournament the world of combat sports has ever witnessed. In 2024, he was admitted to the UFC Hall of Fame. Two tales, one classification of weight. With one retirement date, and nothing was ever seen in conflict.

Teixeira Built a Monster After Retiring

Since walking away from competition Teixeira basically became the man behind Alex Pereira's entire run. Head coach, primary training partner. The guy in the corner for every single one of Pereira's title defenses. Three knockouts in a row as champion, all under Teixeira's guidance. Then Pereira vacated the light heavyweight belt and moved to heavyweight. He now fights Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House.

So Teixeira went from champ to retiree to coaching the ultimate UFC killer. And now, at 46 years old, he's back to fighting himself. Boxing, not MMA, but the fighting spirit is obviously still burning strong.

Spaten Fight Night Is Unpredictable

The first two Spaten events were something else. The debut card had Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen and it was honestly just two friends having a light sparring session. Fans were not happy. Card two had Wanderlei Silva and that one went completely off the rails when a post fight brawl broke out. Wanderlei got knocked out cold in the chaos. The promotion is two for two on weird endings.

So, who knows what will happen at the third event. One assumes it will be clean gives the mutual respect between Teixeira and Shogun (also the fact that Shogun refused to fight him once) but apparently nothing is certain at Spaten Fight Night. Fourteen years, two retirements. And now, they finally meet in São Paulo.