LAS VEGAS – UFC president Dana White wants to see former light heavyweight champion Mauricio Rua retire from MMA competition following his loss to Paul Craig at UFC 255.
Rua (27-12-1 MMA, 11-10-1 UFC), a former UFC light heavyweight champion, UFC Hall of Famer, and PRIDE grand prix winner, suffered a second-round TKO loss in his rematch with Craig (14-4-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) on Saturday’s card at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
“Shogun” turns 39 Wednesday, and he’s 2-2-1 in his past five fights dating back to June 2018. He struggled to offer resistance against Craig, and White feels he’s seen enough.
“I hope that tonight is his last night – I would like to see him retire,” White told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC 255 post-fight news conference. “Just being honest: ‘Shogun’ didn’t look like ‘Shogun’ to me tonight. ‘Shogun’ looked old and like a shell of his former self tonight. So yeah, I’d like to see him hang it up, hopefully.”
White said he has yet to have a personal conversation with the Brazilian about his future. Rua has spoken openly over the past several years that he was aware his time in the sport was nearing its end after being in the game since his professional debut in November 2002.
The decision to keep fighting will ultimately fall on Rua, though. White revealed that he still owes two contracted bouts, but did not express whether he’d release Rua from the roster if he chose to keep fighting.
“I think he has two fights left on his deal,” White said. “But I would like to see him retire.”
Dana White wants ‘Shogun’ Rua to retire after UFC 255 loss where he was ‘a shell of his former self’
