Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has done it all in his legendary twelve year MMA career. The former UFC light heavyweight champion has defeated all the biggest names, has engaged in some of the most esteemed fights, and has had a handful of tough losses as well.
At 32 years old, Shogun has absolutely nothing to prove, and seemingly nothing to gain, yet he continues on with his career. Shogun, who was brutally knocked out by Dan Henderson back in March, is now slated to take on Jimi Manuwa in the main event of UFC Fight Night 56 in November.
With a title shot far off in the distance, and years of damage compounding, Rua’s family has been begging him to retire.
“My mother asks me ‘you really have to fight?’” Rua told TV show “Agora é Tarde” in Brazil this past week. “I say that’s my job, Mom.”
“I do this for 13 years,” Shogun continued. “Every month, my wife and my mother meet and try to make me stop, but I tell them that’s what I love to do.”
Shogun is inching ever closer to the stereotypical combat sports veteran that is simply unwilling to retire unless he is brutally finished in successive fights ala Chuck Liddell. In November we will find out how much Shogun has left in the gas tank.
[h/t MMAFighting]
