Former UFC champions Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Glover Teixeira are set to face off in a highly anticipated boxing match in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 29th. This highly anticipated bout has been a long time coming, with both fighters having a rich history in the UFC. Shogun Rua, in an exclusive interview with MMA Fighting, expressed his excitement about the upcoming fight, emphasizing the unique platform it provides.
Rua reminisced about the time when he and Teixeira were both in the UFC, with Teixeira joining the promotion in 2012 while Rua was on his journey back to the top of the light heavyweight division. The two were considered for a potential match-up in 2012, but it never materialized. Shogun admits that he initially wished to face Teixeira in the UFC, but he is now grateful that the fight will take place in a different setting.
"I really thought I’d end up fighting Glover in the UFC," Rua said. "But now we’re doing it in boxing, at Spaten, which has already become the biggest event in Brazil. In the end, it was probably better that it didn’t happen in the UFC so it could happen at Spaten. It’s something new for the fans. MMA fans know this is a fight everyone has wanted to see, so I actually think it worked out for the best that it didn’t happen in the UFC and is happening now at Spaten."
The delay in their match-up is intriguing, as it occurred almost 14 years after Dana White mentioned the potential bout, with Rua allegedly expressing a preference for release from the UFC rather than facing Teixeira. However, Rua denied these comments and argued that the fight made no sense at the time, given Teixeira's status as an undefeated newcomer and Rua's position as a top 5 contender.
"Glover wasn’t even ranked at the time, and I was in the top 5 in the UFC," Rua explained. "Dana White told me that if I won my next fight I’d get another title shot, and if I had won against Glover, I definitely wouldn’t have gotten that opportunity. So my team felt it was better not to accept the fight at that moment. If it had been a different situation, my team would have accepted it without a doubt."
Fast forward to 2026, and the two veterans, now around 45 years old, will collide in an eight-round heavyweight showdown. This pro-hybrid contest allows knockouts, providing an exciting prospect for fans. Both fighters have recently left the UFC, with Teixeira losing to Jamahal Hill in a championship bout and Shogun being stopped by Ihor Potieria. Rua views this fight as a fitting "farewell fight," though he remains non-committal about retirement.
"I don’t know because the future is a mystery," Rua said. "I truly believe this will be my last fight. I’ve always wanted to fight at Spaten. I think I’ll fight and then actually retire for good, but we’ll see. You never know what tomorrow brings, right?"
The fight at Spaten Fight Night offers a unique opportunity for exposure, promoted and funded by a major beverage company. It will be broadcast live on TV Globo in Brazil, providing a significant platform for the fighters and martial arts in general. Shogun Rua, in particular, is motivated by the chance to introduce people to the sport and showcase the human side of athletes.
"It really gives us much more exposure than we’re used to in MMA," Rua said. "It’s a great opportunity for people to get to know us and to get to know our sport, martial arts. My biggest motivation for fighting at Spaten is to introduce people to martial arts, to the sport, and to who we are."
Rua also acknowledges the UFC's tremendous exposure but believes that Spaten Fight Night will reach a different audience, those who typically stay at home and have never watched fights before. He aims to leave a lasting legacy, emphasizing that victory is fleeting, while a legacy endures forever.
"The UFC is a promotion event with tremendous exposure today, no doubt about it," he continued. "It’s been growing for many years. But I think we’re going to reach people who are used to staying home and have never really watched fights before. I think this is the perfect moment for those of us who fight to show the human side of athletes. That was already my focus in the UFC because we’ve worked so hard to change the perception of this sport, and sometimes things happen that end up hurting its image. My goal is to leave a legacy because a legacy lasts forever. Victory is temporary. You win, you lose, and then it’s in the past. A legacy is forever."
Rua's dedication to his craft is evident, as he has become "addicted to weightlifting" after his final UFC bout in 2023. However, he remains passionate about fighting, describing it as "in my DNA." The transition to boxing gloves presents a new challenge, leading him to train in Curitiba under Andre Dida. Shogun aims to be lighter on fight night, aiming for around 238 pounds.
"Anyone who knows me knows I’m always looking for the knockout," Rua said. "Glover is the same way, he’s always looking for the knockout too. No matter who’s fighting, heavyweight fights rarely go the distance."
Rua believes that the fight is evenly matched, with no clear advantage in boxing. He acknowledges that the age and retirement timing of both fighters are similar, adding to the even nature of the bout. The highly anticipated match-up promises to be an exciting spectacle, leaving fans eager to see the outcome of this unique and highly publicized fight.
