Minotauro announces retirement and takes up position at UFC Brasil

Minotauro (photo) had 46 MMA fights and was a professional since 1999. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

After more than a decade and a half, an era in MMA comes to an end. At 39 years old, the legendary Rodrigo Minotauro finally decided to put an end to his career in mixed martial arts and hang up his gloves.

See too

Demetrious Johnson blasts Dodson: 'A chihuahua that won't stop barking'

Herbert Burns faces Russian at ONE FC and promises: 'The belt will belong to Brazil'

Ronda says her career is 'incomplete' without fighting Cyborg

Cigano criticizes Werdum for 'picking fights': 'He doesn't belong in the position he occupies'

Minotauro, who made his mark in the Japanese PRIDE event, in which he was heavyweight champion, and also won the interim title of the UFC's 120 kg division, announced his retirement this Tuesday (01).

However, the fact that he will no longer step into the Octagon does not mean that Minotauro will definitively move away from the fighting world. In addition to being the owner of the “Team Nogueira” gym franchise, alongside his brother Rogério Minotouro, Rodrigo was also confirmed as UFC Brazil's new Athlete Relations Ambassador.

According to the organization itself, through an official note on its website, in his new role the now former fighter “will participate in several initiatives across the regions of Brazil. He will be the organization's link between athletes, sponsors, media and government bodies. As one of the pioneers of the sport, and well respected in the MMA community, he will help the UFC maintain the highest standard of fighters, while also acting as a mentor in the development of young athletes. In addition to these functions, Rodrigo will also help identify new talents emerging throughout Brazil, considering the UFC.”

President Dana White celebrated the fact that he could count on Minotauro even after his retirement from MMA. “Minotauro is a legend in MMA. He is respected by fighters and fans all over the world. It has been an honor to watch him compete and I am happy for his retirement. He will be a huge asset to the UFC, athletes and the sport as an Ambassador. I can’t wait to work with him in this new chapter of his life.”

Minotauro himself promised to spare no effort to disseminate and promote the sport in his new role. “I am grateful for the trust that Dana White, Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta are placing in me, and I believe that with a lot of work we will achieve great results together. I know I can, and will, contribute greatly to the growth of our sport outside of the Octagon,” he said. “I have always had a passion for following the development of new athletes and that is what I want to continue doing. I want to help spread MMA throughout the world and make my contribution to the emergence and development of young talents”, he added.

At 39, Rodrigo Minotauro He ended his professional MMA career with a record of 34 wins, ten losses, one draw and one unsuccessful fight. In his last professional fight, held on August 1st, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Minotauro was defeated by the Dutch giant Stefan struve on the UFC 190 main card.