Ninjãa against Rampage in 2005 in Japan / Photo: Susumu Nagao, GRACIEMAG archives
The year 2011 hasn’t been an easy one on MMA fans. After Randy Couture, Ricardo Cachorrão and Kevin Randleman hung up their gloves, Murilo Ninja has now joined the list of recent retirees.
The exciting Chute Boxe fighter of days gone announced over Twitter that he is calling an end to his career after losing to Tom Watson by knockout at Bamma yesterday in London, England. The fight was worth the promotional title.
“I’d like to officially announce this evening that I am retiring from professional MMA,” he tweeted.
“It was a fantastic trip and this is a very difficult moment. But there comes a time for everything in life. I’m proud of everything I’ve done in MMA and all the experiences I’ve had in this profession that I lovingly embraced. I’m going to carry on working with MMA by teaching seminars, class, training athletes, and doing my part to help this sport that I love so much,” said Ninja, before thanking some special people in his life. “Life goes on, the memories remain forever, and MMA will always be a part of my life. Thank you all very much!”
Also over Twitter, his brother Mauricio Shogun remarked on the end of Ninja’s career in the ring. “I’m proud of him. If MMA is where it is today, it’s because of warriors like him,” said Shogun.
An idol from the days of Pride FC, where he fought between 2001 and 2006, Murilo “Ninja” Rua (20w, 12l) was born in 1980 and had memorable battles against Dan Henderson, Ricardo Arona, Zé Mario Sperry, Kevin Randleman, Joey Villaseñor and Quinton Jackson.
Check out a video of Ninja’s career highlights.