Mauricio Rua, a two-time UFC light heavyweight champion, will retire after his January 21 performance at UFC 283. Shogun revealed the news in an interview with the Brazilian newspaper Combate.

As Rua put it, "This is my final fight, period" (translation by MMAJunkie). I also no longer subject myself to stress. It is my duty to do my very best, and that is what I always keep in mind.

Two decades have passed during which Rua has competed professionally, earning a record of 27-13-1. In November of 2002, at age 41, he made his professional debut. Only 10 months into his professional career, Rua joined the IFC Light Heavyweight Tournament after winning his first three bouts by knockout. He lost in the semis against Renato "Babalu" Sobral, who is expected to contend for the UFC championship in the near future.

Rua signed with the Japanese fight promoter Pride FC in October 2003, with a 4-1 record and 11 months after his debut. In Japan, Rua became a folk hero. He competed in the Pride Middleweight Grand Prix in 2005 and won via knockout. In addition to his two victories against Alistair Overeem, he has also defeated Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Chuck Liddell, Antônio Rogério Nogueira, Mark Coleman, and Forrest Griffin.

At UFC 113 in May of 2010, he knocked out Lyoto Machida to win the 205-pound title. When he attempted to defend his championship for the first time, Jon Jones knocked him out. The two fights he had with Dan Henderson are now considered classics.

UFC 283 takes place in Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and features a matchup between Rua and Ihor Potieria. Rua is relieved that his professional playing days in his homeland are numbered.

This will be my last fight, so I'm glad it's happening in my home country," Rua remarked. I'm quite content. I appreciate the UFC for being an early adopter of MMA. Nothing else in the UFC has been around as long as me (15 years). I appreciate it everything very much.

I've been fighting for 20 years; I got started young and I've been competing against the finest there is since 2005. So, I can say that I have done what I set out to do in my profession and more, and that I am a happy, content guy. Because of this, I am able to recognize when it is appropriate to pause.