Dana White: ‘Shogun’ Rua ‘Looked Like a Shell of His Former Self’ at UFC 255

Dana White isn’t shy about vocalizing when he thinks athletes on the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster should call it a career.

Following a non-competitive effort in a second-round technical knockout loss in a rematch with Paul Craig at UFC 255, Mauricio Rua is the UFC president’s latest target. Craig dominated the light heavyweight bout with grappling and takedowns before finishing off “Shogun” with punches from back mount — the Brazilian veteran tapped to the onslaught — at the 3:36 mark of Round 2.

“[Paul Craig] looked good and not to take anything away from him at all, he came and did what he had to do tonight but just being honest, Shogun didn’t look like Shogun to me tonight,” White said at the UFC 255 post-fight press conference.

“Shogun looked old and looked like a shell of his former self tonight. Yeah, I’d like to see him hang it up hopefully.”

Heading into Saturday night, the 38-year-old Rua had defied the odds to win five of his previous seven UFC appearances, with a split draw against Craig and a KO defeat to Anthony Smith the only blemishes on his ledger during that time. Since 2015, “Shogun” had also earned wins over the likes of Corey Anderson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (twice), Tyson Pedro and Gian Villante.

However, the latest performance doesn’t seem to forecast future success for the former Pride Fighting Championships standout, whose last four defeats have come via knockout.

“I think he has two fights left on his deal,” White said. “But yeah, I’d like to see him retire.”