UFC's 'Shogun' Rua 'achieved everything I wanted' but not considering retirement

Despite his loss this past weekend in UFC Fight Night 26's headliner, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua said he’s accomplished everything he’s wanted to in his career.

However, the 31-year-old is not considering retirement.

In a statement sent to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) and other media outlets following the Aug. 17 event, which took place at Boston’s TD Garden, Rua (21-8 MMA, 5-6 UFC) said he was disappointed with his first-round submission loss to fellow light heavyweight Chael Sonnen (28-13-1 MMA, 7-6 UFC). The bout, which kicked off the UFC’s debut on FOX Sports 1, moved the former UFC 205-pound champion to just 1-3 in his past four fights and 2-4 since winning the title from then-champ Lyoto Machida in 2010.

However, the former PRIDE star isn’t dwelling on his latest defeat and instead is looking at the big picture.

“I achieved everything I ever wanted,” he stated. “I’ve reached all my dreams, and I still fight because I want to live them again. I still plan on many victories and becoming world champion again. I will be the one who decides when to stop, no one else. Thankfully, I am financially stable and these days I fight because I love it.”

His full statement (translated by MMAjunkie.com) included:

Last Saturday, August 17, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ was surprised by Chael Sonnen in the main event of UFC Fight Night on FOX Sports 1, in Boston, United States. The submission setback was greatly felt by the Brazilian, but will serve as a learning for his upcoming fights in the organization.

Already recomposed after the defeat, the fighter analyzes the bout and promises to identify the mistakes inside the Octagon, as to not be surprised again.

“I’m a very competitive guy, who hates being defeated. I know I did everything I should have done in preparation, but Sonnen was better in our fight; credit goes to him. Unfortunately, in fighting, we have to wait a long time for redemption. In soccer, you may lose on Sunday and win on Wednesday, and everything is OK. I’ll go home, see what went wrong in the fight and train hard so this error does not happen again,” he reflects.

At 31 years of age and with an accomplished career, Shogun, former UFC light-heavyweight champion and Pride champion, is not contemplating retirement upon his return to Brazil, which will place this Thursday, the 22th, when he will be joined by his daughter Maria Eduarda and his wife Renata, three months pregnant.

“I have an 11-year career in MMA/Vale Tudo and I am an accomplished athlete; I achieved everything I ever wanted. I’ve reached all my dreams, and I still fight because I want to live them again. I still plan on many victories and becoming world champion again. I will be the one who decides when to stop, no one else. Thankfully, I am financially stable and these days I fight because I love it,” he says.

Mauricio ‘Shogun’ wishes to thank those who have always been by his side, his true fans. Regarding their loyalty, the fighter reverses the roles and considers himself a fan.

“I’ve always been a fan of Ayrton Senna, and I never though he wasn’t good when he didn’t win. I was a true fan, who admired him for everything he did, whether he came last or first in a race. His name is now etched in history, and I believe mine will also be etched in MMA history. I thank the fans who comforted me with words through social networks; you are very important to me. “

The team assembled by Mauricio ‘Shogun’ and his managers for the matchup against Rogerio Nogueira and subsequently Chael Sonnen will remain the same in preparation for his next fight in the UFC.

“Mauricio has invested a lot in this camp, trained with the best, came to the United States to learn new techniques, so we decided to keep the same base. He trained with Freddie Roach in the United States, brought Jacob Harman to Curitiba, and had the support of Glaube Feitosa, Roberto Gordo and Renato ‘Babalu’ in his corner. He was very well prepared, but it was Sonnen who was happy that day. Mauricio is a winner by nature and I have full confidence that we will bounce back”, shares Leonardo Salomao, who alongside Lucas Pires manages the fighter’s career.

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 26, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.