Mauricio Rua says he’s not retired yet, still wants one or two more UFC fights
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua says he has not retired yet, and he still wants to fight one or two more times in the Octagon.
Rua last competed at UFC 255 in November 2020, when he lost via second-round TKO to Paul Craig. At age 39 and coming off of a bad loss, there were indications that “Shogun” had retired, and UFC president Dana White even hinted at that being the case during a Q&A with fans earlier this year. However, according to the Brazilian himself, he is not retired yet. In fact, Rua is hoping that he can still fight one or two more times before he hangs up his gloves for good.
Speaking to Combate, Rua said that he is hoping to return in August or September, though he doesn’t have an opponent in mind.
“In August or September, it is the goal I have with my team. And I don’t think about the opponent, my manager takes care of that with the UFC. It’s in his hands, I never got too involved in that part,” Rua said.
“My head is clear. I am a guy accomplished with my career, when I stop I will be grateful for the blessings I had. I want to do one or two more fights, I’m not sure yet. I want to be calm and calm to decide this alone. I will make my fight (the next one) as if it were the last, but it may not be. So I don’t want to have a ceremony or anything. I want to fight without any load and it may be the last or the penultimate, so I don’t know.”
Before the loss to Craig, Rua (27-12-1) had won five of seven fights, including notable wins over Corey Anderson, Tyson Pedro, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Based on his last performance against Craig, it feels like Rua doesn’t have much gas left in the tank. But he’s a legend of the sport and if he believes that he still has the ability to fight again, the UFC will likely honor his wish.
Who do you want to see Mauricio Rua fight in the final one or two fights of his MMA career?
