RIO DE JANEIRO – Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua ended his competitive MMA career on a loss Saturday in his home country.
“Shogun” Rua (27-14-1 MMA, 11-12-1 UFC) was defeated by Ukrainian Dana White’s Contender Series signee Ihor Potieira (19-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) when he was clipped and finished with punches at 4:05 of Round 1. The light heavyweight bout closed out the UFC 283 preliminary card at Jeunesse Arena.
A right hand marked the beginning of the end for Rua, who dropped to his knees. He eventually rose back up only to be dropped again by Potieira. While Rua was not knocked unconscious, his lack of self-defense caused referee Herb Dean to stop the fight – and Jeunesse Arena to go dead silent.
