'Shogun' Rua to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame this summer as part of the 2024 class.

The promotion announced the news Saturday night on the UFC 301 broadcast in Rua's native Brazil. Rua was in attendance at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro and received a roaring applause from the fans.

Rua joins Frankie Edgar, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Wanderlei Silva, and the UFC 117 fight between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen to complete the class of 2024.

Rua's iconic UFC 139 bout against Dan Henderson was inducted into the fight wing of the UFC Hall of Fame in 2018.

The 42-year-old captured the UFC light heavyweight title in 2010 with a knockout win over Lyoto Machida and lost the belt in his first defense against Jon Jones.

Rua made a name for himself in the now-defunct Japanese promotion PRIDE FC, where he won the 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix. He was the last fighter on the UFC roster who competed in PRIDE FC in Japan. Rua's 2005 campaign - which included wins over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and Alistair Overeem - is widely considered one of the most dominant runs in MMA history.

"Shogun" retired from mixed martial arts after a loss to Ihor Potieria at UFC 283 in January 2023 in Rio de Janeiro. Rua posted a 27-14-1 record over 21 years as a pro fighter.