Two legendary Brazilian MMA veterans are finally set to share the ring after more than a decade of near misses.
Glover Teixeira and Mauricio Rua, better known to fight fans as “Shogun,” are scheduled to headline Spaten Fight Night 3 in São Paulo, Brazil, on August 29 in a heavyweight boxing match contested over eight two-minute rounds.
The matchup is especially notable because the former UFC light heavyweight champions were once expected to fight inside the Octagon back in 2012, though the bout never materialized. Now, years after both men stepped away from MMA competition, they’ll finally collide under boxing rules instead.
Teixeira enters the event after remaining deeply involved in the sport following his retirement in 2023. While his final UFC appearance ended in a title fight loss to Jamahal Hill, the 46-year-old has stayed active as the longtime coach and mentor of Alex Pereira, who is currently preparing for an interim heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane at the UFC White House event.
Shogun, meanwhile, remains one of the most respected names of the PRIDE era. The 44-year-old built his legacy through violent finishes and memorable wars against names like Quinton Jackson, Alistair Overeem, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira before eventually becoming UFC light heavyweight champion.
Spaten Fight Night has quickly become known for bringing iconic MMA names into crossover combat events. Previous editions featured exhibition-style bouts involving Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen, and Wanderlei Silva.
The upcoming card will also include high-level judo matches featuring Olympic gold medalists Rafaela Silva and Beatriz Souza, adding another layer to the Brazil-based combat sports showcase.