Considered to be on the the biggest MMA stars to ever come from Brazil, Mauricio Rua will write the final chapter of his storied career at UFC 283.
“Shogun’s” swan song will come against Ihor Potieira, a man 15 years his junior who is coming off a second-round technical knockout loss to Nicolae Negumereanu in his Octagon debut at UFC 277.
“I’m studying a lot his fights,” Rua told Sherdog.com. “He is a southpaw and very aggressive. Of course I have to be cautious, but my nature will always push me to try to win via knockout.”
According to Rua, he will be 100% retired after UFC 283, no matter what the result of his 42nd professional fight may be.
“That’s guaranteed. I’m not going to look for boxing matches or superfights. I´m totally satisfied with my 20-year career. My goal now is dedicate time to my family and also give more attention to my Shogun Team academies.”
Rua claims that there will be 80 franchises with the Shogun Academy name throughout Brazil.
“Our goal is not to make MMA champions but to use martial arts to improve the quality of life in an atmosphere where we have space for all ages,” he said.
The former UFC and Pride Grand Prix champion isn’t planning on making a farewell speech in the Octagon following his final bout.
“My only plan is try to give a great last fight to the fans,” he said. “I’m a shy person. I don’t like tributes or anything like that.”
In a career filled with bouts against some of the most important fighters of the light heavyweight divison, “Shogun” is able to select the most significant moment of his tenure without hesitation.
“Without a doubt it was Aug. 28, 2005, the day I won the Pride Grand Prix. I entered as underdog and finished as champion in a tournament with 16 fighters, which was considered by many as the toughest Grand Prix ever.”
There’s one fight that Rua wishes came to fruition, and that’s against fellow Pride legend Fedor Emelianenko.
“After I won the light heavyweight [grand prix] and he won the heavyweight grand prix, the promoters started to talk about a superfight, but it never happened,” Rua said. “Coincidentally I was probably closer to fighting my idol Wanderlei [Silva before he lost to Ricardo Arona in the seminfinals]. But It would have been an honor to fight Fedor when we both were in our primes. In my opinion, Fedor is among the three best pound-for-pound fighters ever.”
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