Former Brazilian UFC lightweight champion Mauricio Rua announced his retirement at the UFC 283 media day on Wednesday, saying he wants to compete one last time in his home country.
“I wanted to have my last fight in Brazil. It’s going to be tough. Every fight is a lot of emotions, a lot of adrenaline and nervousness, but being the last fight and everything, I’m going to have to be focused and get through that.”
MMA legend Mauricio Rua promises he won't flip-flop on retirement and says #UFC283 is 100% his swan song.
Full interview: https://t.co/uZ7wlhIgi2 pic.twitter.com/bcCFDU8dF2
— MMAWorldInside (@MMAWorldInside) January 18, 2023
Things were not going well for Rua recently, as he lost back-to-back fights at the UFC while lacking fighting intensity, which is the reason why Shogun simply wanted to stop, saying that some people may return from retirement, but for him, this is the end, and he will not fight again.
“I’m going to really stop. There are a lot of people that retire and come back a year later, but I don’t like that. I’m retiring from all sports. I could’ve stopped a few years ago, but I really didn’t want to regret stopping at the wrong time. So it’s something very personal. My wife wanted me to stop ever since we got married. But I think I’m making this choice at the right time.”
In the same event, the 41-year-old said her wife wanted him to stop fighting the day they got married, and as he didn’t want to regret his decision, he is retiring now.
And at the last part of his retirement announcement speech, this 41-27-13 pro-MMA holder thanked God for everything and also mentioned that he would be retiring as a successful guy.
“I’m very thankful for my career, very honored, thankful to God. When I finish fighting, which is going to be this Saturday, I can say I’m very honored and very happy with my career. I’m a very fulfilled and accomplished guy.”
#UFC283 #FreePicks: Ihor Potieira vs. Mauricio Rua#Bet: -2½ Rounds, -210
Pair fought < 12½ minutes in 44 of all 63 combined career MMA events. Shogun has been finished within 2½ rounds in 5 of his last 6 UFC losses since 2013.#GamblingTwitter #MMAtwitter #UFC stats comp: pic.twitter.com/ACuqAVJZ9z
— MMA RAX (@MMA_RAX) January 19, 2023
However, Mauricio Rua will step into the octagon for the last time to square off against Ihor Potieria at UFC 283 on Saturday.
