RIO DE JANEIRO – The MMA career of the legendary Mauricio Rua is in the rear-view mirror. “Shogun” comfortably sits a retired fighter with little disappointment, despite a loss in his final MMA fight.
Saturday at UFC 283, Rua (27-14-1 MMA, 11-12-1 UFC) was finished with strikes by promotional sophomore Ihor Potieria (19-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in the first round. The storybook ending unceremoniously went up in flames, but only for a moment. “Shogun” said he enters retirement peacefully and knows he accomplished what he set out to do more than two decades ago.
“Even though I lost, I really feel a sense of having my mission accomplished of fulfilling my duties because for 21 years, I gave my most,” Rua told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at a post-fight news conference. “I left everything in the rings and octagons and gave it my all. Sometimes, (a loss) happens. I feel relieved and fulfilled in a sense of accomplishment because I did my best and it was a long career. The only thing I can do is to do my best.”
