Mauricio Rua closed out his career on a low Saturday when he was defeated by Ihor Potieria at UFC 283.
Rua (27-14-1 MMA, 11-12-1 UFC), the former UFC and PRIDE grand prix champion better known as “Shogun,” suffered a loss in his retirement fight. Potieria (20-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) beat him by first-round TKO in their featured prelim fight at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro.
After putting together a UFC Hall of Fame resume, the MMA community said farewell to Rua at UFC 283.
MMA Junkie
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua's retirement fight is on deck at #UFC283.
Here's what he's accomplished in a legendary career.
Live play-by-play: https://t.co/DY2bEBW8n3 pic.twitter.com/HuuRxmyGOd
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 22, 2023
UFC
A legend's final walk 🙌@ShogunRua enters the Octagon one last time against @IhorPotieriaUFC in our #UFC283 Featured Prelim!
[ Live on @ABCNetwork & ESPN+ ] pic.twitter.com/X4kpQkm0qf
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2023
Nick Kalikas
#UFC283 Closing Betting Odds via @CircaSports
Maurício Rua +170
Ihor Potieria -195@UFC | @ESPN | @ESPNPlus 💰— Nick Kalikas (@FightOdds) January 22, 2023
Derek Brunson
The legend Shogun is coming up next . I hope he gets a heroic walk off ! #UFC283
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) January 22, 2023
Alan Jouban
Shogun and me share the exact same birthday. 11/25/81. We fought on the same card together in Uberlandia Brazil years ago and it wasn’t the night for either of us. Tonight, I hope is his night. He deserves it. #UFC283
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) January 22, 2023
Kelvin Gastelum
Last dance for this #Legend tonight #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/XI8QMW39ZW
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) January 22, 2023
Michael Chiesa
Praying to the MMA gods right now. #ufc293 #pridenevadie
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) January 22, 2023
Shaheen Al-Shatti
There are at least 3 old Legend of Zelda files named “Shogun” buried somewhere in my closet. His 2005 run was partly what got me into MMA. Gonna be plenty of onions getting cut in the Al-Shatti household tonight. #UFC283
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) January 22, 2023
Luke Thomas
After Shogun lost to Forrest Griffin in 2007, there was chatter of him falling off after PRIDE. Then again he was allegedly a shell of himself when he fought Jones in 2011.
Maybe that's fair or not, but that he's still fighting in 2023 after all of these burials is pretty nuts.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) January 22, 2023
Jimi Manuwa
The legend himself makes his final walk. Always loved and respected SHOGUN !! 🥷🏾 #UFC283 #shogun
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) January 22, 2023
UFC
A legends last walk!
Here comes @ShogunRua! 👊 #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/Adp5opXa97
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) January 22, 2023
Stephen Thompson
Pulling for the legend in his final fight tonight. Grew up watching this man dismantle people with leg kicks and tenacity…. A true #legend @ShogunRua #UFC283
— Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) January 22, 2023
Aljamain Sterling
SHOGUN! SHOGUN! SHOGUN! SHOGUN! SHOGUN!#UFC283
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 22, 2023
UFC
The last @BruceBuffer intro for the one and only @ShogunRua 🥲 #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/XgzaunPZ3y
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2023
Nolan King
One final walk for the legend. Thanks for the memories, Shogun. 👑 #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/LF2eG8B48x
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) January 22, 2023
Lando Vanatta
When I was 13 @ShogunRua was my favorite fighter. I watched all of his Pride fights. Excited for his final curtain!
— Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) January 22, 2023
Cageside Press
Ihor with shoulder shots. Another. Shogun gets out! Ihor left hand. Shogun leg kick. Shogun 2-1. Shogun leg kick. OHHHH SHOGUN IS HURT!!!! TRYING TO SURVIVE! That's it. Ihor Potieria. #UFC283
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) January 22, 2023
Belal Muhammad
Ok I hate this guy now
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) January 22, 2023
Petesy Carroll
I wasn’t ready for that, even though it was highly possible.
— Peter Carroll (@PetesyCarroll) January 22, 2023
Al Iaquinta
Potiera 🖕🏽
— Al Iaquinta🗽 (@ALIAQUINTA) January 22, 2023
Casey O'Neill
And just like that 😢💔 https://t.co/SXkM35fell
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) January 22, 2023
Thiago Santos
@ShogunRua is an example of a samurai, an idol for me, thanks for your service Champ
— Thiago “Marreta” Santos (@TMarretaMMA) January 22, 2023
MMA Junkie
#UFC283 results: Ihor Potieria (@IhorPotieriaUFC) def. Mauricio Rua via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:05.
Full results: https://t.co/DY2bEBW8n3 pic.twitter.com/HnufHp2SsQ
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 22, 2023
John McCarthy
I honestly did not want to watch @ShogunRua fight again. He was always a favorite to watch in the ring or cage, But loved seeing the Brazilian crowd showing him the respect he deserved with a standing ovation. Thank you Mauricio for all of the wars and all of the special moments
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) January 22, 2023
UFC
🥹
21 years of incredible moments, the UFC and PRIDE Grand Prix Champion 🇧🇷 @ShogunRua says goodbye. #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/j3QGavDoMN
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) January 22, 2023
Henry Cejudo
Shogun was one of two, Pride and UFC champion. congrats on your retirement @ShogunRua 🏆🏆🏆
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) January 22, 2023
UFC
A career and legacy that will not be forgotten
Thanks for the incredible memories, @ShogunRua 🙌 #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/jdoNhWWsZn
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2023
MMA Fighting
Shogun Rua leaves the arena for the final time in his legendary career 🙌 #UFC283 pic.twitter.com/tocYHnB8AJ
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) January 22, 2023
MMA Junkie
"Relieved and fulfilled" after retiring, @ShogunRua hopes his legacy in MMA is to be remembered as a "very good person." 🙏#UFC283 | Full video: https://t.co/KUP9MqpGm3 pic.twitter.com/dkOsnDM0li
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 22, 2023
MMA Junkie
Ihor Potieria reenacted his post-fight dance from the cage during his media scrum after retiring "Shogun" Rua at #UFC283. 😬
Full video: https://t.co/KUP9MqpGm3 pic.twitter.com/Z6klp28jtK
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) January 22, 2023
