Shogun shows badly swollen elbow, plans to ‘think’ about career

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua released a post-fight statement after his TKO loss to Paul Craig at UFC 255.

For someone with such a legendary career like Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, tapping to strikes would be the last thing anyone would expect him to do. But that was exactly what happened on Saturday at UFC 255 when he faced Paul Craig in a rematch.

That unfortunate ending equally disappointed UFC president Dana White, who is now urging the former light heavyweight champion to think about retirement. But there was apparently more to the story.

In a lengthy post-fight Instagram post, the 38-year-old veteran revealed an elbow injury he suffered mid-fight. He also touched on White’s retirement suggestion, which he says he will be mulling over when he gets back to his family in Brazil.

Unfortunately things didn’t go out the way I would have liked last night, and this is a part of our sport. I suffered an injury to my elbow on the first time I was taken down, but this serves as no excuse, as it is part of fighting and it doesn’t take way any merits from my opponent.

An athletes’ career is not only made of glory and thank God I was already blessed many times with the reward of victory, due to a lot of sacrifices and effort, that only those who live our everyday routine really knows what we go trough.

I want to thank all the amazing support from you guys, as always. I’m blessed for being able to do this for 18 years already, and here in 2020 you guys are the great motivation I carry with me, and that it makes me continue this far.

Now I’m going to rest with my family, and think about my career. I know that my mission in this sport goes way beyond the octagon as well. Thanks a lot guys

Shogun had one of the most stellar runs in PRIDE FC during the mid-2000s where he finished the likes of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Alistair Overeem (twice), Kevin Randleman, and Ricardo Arona in devastating fashion. While he did win the 205-pound title, he unfortunately wasn’t able to carry the same dominance when he entered the UFC.