Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has known for some time that the end of his career was approaching.
With 41 professional fights and nearly 21 years in the sport, the legendary Brazilian had been plotting this move, especially as he continued putting more and more miles on his body both inside the cage and during the countless hours spent in the gym. It all added up to tell “Shogun” the time was now — and that’s why he’s planned for his retirement after his upcoming bout against Ihor Poteiria at UFC 285.
“I have been suffering and dealing with some little pains from the injuries I have and those things, it really becomes a burden to be in training camp and live that life,” Rua revealed Wednesday on The MMA Hour. Training camp, fighting, training camp and fight. This is not something that I can feel my body supports anymore, and it makes me very uncomfortable.
” I am happy with all I have achieved. I will stop competing, but I want to be content .”
Rua achieved a lot in his career. He was also the 2005 midweight grand prix winner at Pride Fighting Championships with unforgettable victories against names like Quinton “Rampage”, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Alistair Overeem.
His run with Pride came to an end after the UFC purchased the promotion in 2007.
Many of the Pride fighters eventually joined UFC along with him. However, “Shogun”, the only remaining Pride veteran competing in the Octagon, is the man who stands out. Rua says that despite his many accomplishments, that one achievement really means a lot.
“For me, I’m very proud of it,” Rua said. It’s an accomplishment and reason to be proud [in the UFC]..
“Even the UFC itself, I’ve been 16 years in the UFC pretty much and it really makes me proud and makes me feel blessed by God that I was able to have this long and successful career.”
Shogun knows Saturday is his last chance to make it up the chute and compete. However, he said that there are unavoidable nerves but that he was also excited.
” I’m anxious about the fight,” Rua said. “I’m anxious about this fight, but at the same time, I feel fulfilled. I feel like I achieved everything I wanted in my career so I’m happy.
” It’s not about feeling blue. It’s a feeling of happiness that I am able to retire on my own terms, and it’s a reflection of all the achievements I have made in my professional career. It’s not that I am anxious about the fight. I just want to win it .”
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When he made his professional debut in 2002, there was no guarantee that he would ever become a champion, much less a legend of the sport, so “Shogun” can’t help but marvel at everything he’s been able to accomplish.
His highlight reel stands up against anyone who’s ever competed in MMA, and Rua displayed the kind of career longevity most fighters will only dream about.
Rua says he didn’t intend on that. He was just a child who liked to fight.
“I would never believe it,” Rua said. Rua said, “I never thought I’d be able have such an extensive career let alone conquer all that I conquered and achieve the things that I did.” I only started for love, for fun, because I liked it. It was a dream of mine that one day I would be able to have such an amazing career .”
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Rua is looking forward to some relaxation and rest, but will not be able to stay away too much from the gym. That said, it doesn’t appear he’ll miss the arduous and exhausting training camps that accompanied his fights.
More than anything, “Shogun” is just ready to move onto the next phase of his life, and that will almost certainly made it easier to call it a career after UFC 285 is finished.
“Rua stated that she is going to exercise for enjoyment and health. “Just to be healthy, to have fun without all the pressure and I’m going to focus on my family, raising my daughters, taking care of my family and of my enterprises.
“I already have some enterprises so I’ll dedicate myself more to them and to my family and train just for fun to be in shape and to be healthy.”
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/1/18/23561477/mauricio-shogun-rua-explains-why-now-was-the-right-time-to-retire-im-doing-it-on-my-terms?rand=96749
