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.
Seemingly the only noise in the venue, was celebration from Potieira, who did a DX crotch-chop, before he appeared to make a gun hand gesture and a finger-wag.
An unceremonious end for Shogun, but a strong showing from @IhorPotieriaUFC to secure the first round finish #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/mGwkWqoJTS
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2023
“I’m sorry, you guys,” Rua said, on the microphone after the bout. “I wanted to end my career with a win, but I’m going to stop in right here. I’m going to end my career here. I’ve been in the game 21 years and in the UFC for 16. I have to thank my fans, Dana, Lorenzo, everyone in the UFC that made it happen through all the years.”
“Shogun” Rua rides off into the sunset on a loss, a small blemish on a lengthy and legendary resume. For two decades, Rua competed against the world’s best. From his early days in PRIDE against the likes of Alistair Overeem, Kevin Randleman, and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, to his reign as UFC light heavyweight champion, Rua built himself into one of the most accomplished fighters in the history of the weight class.
UFC victories include a title win over Lyoto Machida in May 2010, as well as wins over Chuck Liddell, Mark Coleman, Forrest Griffin, Corey Anderson, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira among others.
In recent years, Rua put forth more inconsistent results with a 5-4-1 record in his final 10 MMA bouts. He exits the UFC – and MMA – on a three-fight skid.
With the victory, Potieira bounces back from a TKO loss to Nicolae Negumereanu in July during his UFC debut. Potieira has won 16 of his most recent 17 bouts.
Up-to-the-minute UFC 283 results include:
- Ihor Potieria def. Mauricio Rua via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:05
- Brunno Ferreira def. Gregory Rodrigues via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:13
- Thiago Moises def. Melquizael Costa via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:05
- Gabriel Bonfim def. Mounir Lazzez via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:49
- Jailton Almeida def. Shamil Abdurakhimov via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:56
- Cody Stamann def. Luan Lacerda via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Ismael Bonfim def. Terrance McKinney via knockout (knee) – Round 2, 2:17
- Nicolas Dalby def. Warlley Alves via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Josiane Nunes def. Zarah Fairn via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Daniel Marcos def. Saimon Oliveira via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 2:18
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 283.
