Mauricio “Shogun” Rua appears to have one final fight left in him. The former UFC light heavyweight champion will step into the boxing ring Saturday to face fellow Brazilian legend Glover Teixeira at Spaten Fight Night 3 in São Paulo. While Rua has come out of retirement for this unique matchup, he doesn’t expect to make another comeback afterward.
Rua spoke with MMA Fighting during the event’s open workouts in Rio de Janeiro and admitted that his bout with Teixeira will likely mark the end of his legendary combat sports career.
“I think it’s the last one,” Rua said. “But I think the future is a mystery, so… I don’t know, but I think it’s the last one.”
Rua and Teixeira share a unique piece of MMA history. Both legends retired from the sport on the same night at UFC 283 in January 2023, with Rua losing to Ihor Potieria and Teixeira suffering a defeat to Jamahal Hill.
However, Rua felt a matchup with Teixeira was one of the few major challenges missing from his résumé. Despite his decision to return, Rua insists he doesn’t have any unfinished business in MMA. The former UFC and PRIDE champion believes he has already accomplished everything he wanted during a career that spanned more than two decades.
“Actually, I’m a fulfilled person,” Rua said when asked whether another opponent could convince him to return again. “I think I’ve fought the best in the world. And I don’t think [I’ll fight again].
“But I’m a guy who is driven by challenges. What drives me are my goals, my targets, my dreams. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I think this is the last one.”
That mindset has followed Rua throughout his career. From his legendary run in PRIDE to winning UFC gold, Now, at 44 years old, he gets one more opportunity to share the ring with another Brazilian icon.
Rua completed his training camp with longtime coach Andre Dida, but Dida will not be allowed to work his corner Saturday.
Dida received a ban from the event following his involvement in the massive brawl between the Wanderlei Silva and Acelino Freitas camps after last year’s Spaten Fight Night event.
Despite Dida’s absence, Rua insists his preparation has gone smoothly and that his entire team remains on the same page.
“Dida won’t be in my corner,” Rua said. “I did the entire preparation with Dida, but he can’t be here because of what happened at the last Spaten event. But I have my team here, who have been with me since the beginning of camp. Dida’s people are also here, so everything is fine.”
Rua also revealed that he continues to speak with Dida and legendary coach Rafael Cordeiro every day as he prepares for the final challenge.
“I talk to Dida every day,” he continued. “I already have the strategy in my head. I also talk to Master Rafael [Cordeiro] every day. Everything is aligned between me, Master Rafael, Dida, and my team. Everything is great, everything is perfect.”
For Mauricio Rua, Saturday’s showdown with Teixeira represents more than just another fight. It could be the final chapter of one of the most memorable careers in MMA history.
