Shogun Rua explains why he’s glad to fight Glover Teixeira outside the UFC: ‘It worked out for the best’

Former UFC light heavyweight champions Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Glover Teixeira will finally meet in the ring—but not as mixed martial artists. The two Brazilian veterans will compete in an eight-round heavyweight boxing match at Spaten Fight Night 3 in São Paulo on August 29, 2026, in what Rua describes as a dream matchup that nearly materialized inside the UFC over a decade ago.

The fighters were nearly paired in the UFC around 2012, when Rua was rebuilding his career after losing his belt to Jon Jones and Teixeira was just beginning his UFC tenure at 1-0. The promotion considered the bout, but Rua's team declined—a decision that has been debated ever since. Rua explained to MMA Fighting that accepting the fight at that time made no strategic sense: Teixeira was unranked while Rua held a top-5 position, and UFC president Dana White had promised a title shot for a win. Facing a fellow Brazilian unranked opponent could have cost Rua that opportunity.

"In the end, it was probably better that it didn't happen in the UFC so it could happen at Spaten," Rua said. "It's something new for the fans." Both fighters departed the UFC on the same night in January 2023—Rua was stopped by Ihor Potieria while Teixeira lost his title bid to Jamahal Hill. Now, at approximately 45 years old each, they will settle the longstanding question in a hybrid contest where knockdowns and knockouts are permitted, though it is not an official pro boxing match.

Rua, currently training in Curitiba under coach Andre Dida, sees this bout as a farewell opportunity to compete on a major platform. The event will broadcast live on TV Globo in Brazil and reach audiences beyond traditional MMA fans. "It really gives us much more exposure than we're used to in MMA," Rua noted, adding that he views the bout as a chance to showcase the human side of combat athletes and leave a lasting legacy. While Rua suggested this will likely be his final fight, he remained noncommittal about retirement. "I truly believe this will be my last fight," he said. "But the future is a mystery."

Both fighters bring knockout power into the ring. Rua, walking around 238 pounds, plans to trim down for the bout, while emphasizing that neither fighter holds a clear technical advantage in boxing. "In my opinion, we're even," Rua said. "We're also almost the same age, and we retired on the same day, so I think everything is pretty even."