Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua has admitted he is glad his upcoming bout with Glover Teixeira is taking place outside the UFC. The longtime rivals are set to meet on a non-UFC platform, a circumstance Rua says he welcomes.
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua has expressed relief that his upcoming fight against Glover Teixeira will take place outside the UFC, with the Brazilian legend saying he welcomes the circumstances surrounding the bout.
Rua, a former UFC light heavyweight champion and one of the most celebrated fighters in MMA history, is set to square off against a fellow Brazilian in what shapes up as a marquee clash between two veterans of the division. The matchup carries significant nostalgic weight, pitting two longtime rivals who built their legacies inside the Octagon against each other on a non-UFC platform.
Teixeira enters the fight at 46 years old carrying a professional record of 33 wins and 9 losses. The six-foot-two orthodox striker, who trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, boasts a 76-inch reach and has long been regarded as one of the most dangerous finishers in light heavyweight history. He lands 3.73 significant strikes per minute at a 49 percent accuracy rate, and his grappling remains a constant threat, with 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.9 submission attempts per 15 minutes across his career.
Why it matters
- Two iconic Brazilian light heavyweights finally meet, fulfilling a long-discussed rivalry
- The bout takes place outside the UFC, giving both veterans freedom outside the promotion's framework
- Teixeira's elite grappling against Rua's striking pedigree creates a compelling stylistic contrast
- The outcome carries reputational stakes for both fighters as they compete deep into their careers
