Shogun to Retire from Professional Sports After Boxing Match with Glover Teixeira

Pulse Sports Team 11:50 - 26 August 2026

Maurício "Shogun" Rua is set to step into the boxing ring this Saturday, facing Glover Teixeira in a clash of former UFC champions in São Paulo, Brazil. This bout is likely to be his final time competing.

The former UFC and PRIDE titleholder spoke with journalists during the open workouts for the Spaten Fight Night 3 event in Rio de Janeiro, stating he came out of retirement specifically to face Teixeira under boxing rules.

“I think this is the last one,” Rua said. “But the future is a mystery, so… I don’t know, but I think it’s the last.”

Rua and Teixeira both retired from MMA on the same night in January 2023, after suffering losses to Ihor Potieria and Jamahal Hill, respectively, at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro. However, this boxing match is something Rua feels was “missing” from his MMA career.

“I’m actually a fulfilled man,” Rua stated when asked if any other names could entice him back for future fights. “I believe I’ve fought the best in the world. And I don’t think I’ll fight again. But I’m a person driven by challenges. What motivates me are my goals, my tasks, my dreams. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I think this is the last one.”

Rua completed his entire training camp with André Dida as his head coach, but it turns out Dida will not be allowed in his corner on Saturday. Dida was involved in a mass brawl that erupted between the teams of Wanderlei Silva and Acelino Freitas after the Spaten main event in 2025.

“Dida won’t be in my corner,” Rua confirmed. “I did all my preparation with Dida, but he can’t be here because of what happened at the last Spaten event. But I have my team here, who have been with me since the start of camp. Dida’s people are also here, so everything is fine.”

“I talk to Dida every day,” he continued. “I already have the strategy in my head. I also speak with Master Rafael [Cordeiro] every day. Everything is aligned between me, Master Rafael, Dida, and my team. Everything is great, everything is perfect.”