Paul Craig wanted to send ‘Shogun’ Rua into retirement at UFC on ESPN+ 22 in Sao Paulo

Scottish light heavyweight Paul Craig said he had hoped to retire Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua at UFC Sao Paulo.

Following the split draw between the pair at UFC on ESPN+ 22 on Saturday night, [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] has made no secret of the fact that he wants to face [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] again.

But he also revealed another motivation for facing him a second time. He wants to retire the Brazilian legend.

Craig (12-4-1 MMA, 4-4-1 UFC) said he had hoped to draw a line under Rua’s illustrious career in Sao Paulo by being the last man to face him before he hangs up his gloves.

“I didn’t tell the media that, but I had told my coaches that (before the fight),” Craig said at the post-event news conference. “What I said was – and you need to have a bit of confidence in this sport – I said I would love to be ‘Shogun’ Rua’s last fight. I would love for ‘Shogun’ Rua to take the gloves off and leave them in the center of the octagon after I had, obviously, got the victory.”

[lawrence-related id=463669,463127,463785]

Those pre-fight hopes didn’t come to fruition on fight night in Brazil. Craig and Rua (26-11-1 MMA, 10-9-1 UFC) battled to a draw after three grueling rounds. And while the Scot had no issues with the scoring of the fight, he said he was taking the positives from his short-notice assignment.

“Straight after the fight, I was very disappointed,” he said. “But after I had time reflect on it, to come to Brazil and fight the legend that is Rua in his home country and get a draw is a good result for me.”

Craig spoke about a possible return to action at a rumored event in his home city of Glasgow next year, and said that he fancied another fight with a Brazilian, whether that turns out to be ‘Shogun’ or not.

“I did want him to retire, but I want that next fight,” he said. “I want that full fight camp. And if I don’t get ‘Shogun’ Rua, give me another Brazilian.”

[vertical-gallery id=463597]