Shogun Rua to retire after Glover Teixeira boxing match: ‘I think it’s the last one’

Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, the former UFC and PRIDE champion, will step into a boxing ring on Saturday to face fellow retired UFC titleholder Glover Teixeira in São Paulo, Brazil—a matchup he believes will mark the end of his fighting career. Speaking at open workouts for Spaten Fight Night 3 in Rio de Janeiro, Rua emphasized that this boxing bout represents a missing piece from his mixed martial arts legacy, despite feeling fulfilled by his accomplishments across decades at the sport's highest level.

Both Rua and Teixeira exited MMA on the same January 2023 night at UFC 283 in Rio, losing to Ihor Potieria and Jamahal Hill respectively. The boxing showdown, however, drew Rua out of retirement. 'I think it's the last one,' Rua said, while acknowledging uncertainty about the future. '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.'

Rua's preparation has been led by Andre Dida, but a recent brawl involving Wanderlei Silva's team at a prior Spaten event has barred Dida from cornering him Saturday. Despite the absence, Rua stressed his strategy is locked in through daily consultations with Dida and legendary striking coach Master Rafael Cordeiro. 'I did the entire preparation with Dida, but he can't be here because of what happened at the last Spaten event,' Rua explained, noting his core team will support him ringside. The bout represents a rare return for two combat sports veterans testing themselves under pure boxing rules before likely hanging up their gloves for good.