We head to the one and only Sherdog for official news of Rua’s retirement. Apparently, Rua is only retiring from active MMA competition. He will continue to teach classes, host seminars, and help train aspiring fighters. In his retirement announcement, Rua said that he was proud of all he accomplished but felt that it was the right time to walk away.

Although he never ascended to the same level of his brother Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, the older Rua leaves behind a relatively storied career. Rua began his career as a professional MMA fighter in 2000, and had a notable thirteen-fight run in the legendary PRIDE FC promotion that included a big win over Akira Shoji and some notable wars against Quinton Jackson, Kevin Randleman, Dan Henderson, and more. Rua won his first championship in 2007, TKO’ing Joey Villasenor to become the first EliteXC Middleweight Champion.

Rua leaves professional MMA on the heels of a two-fight losing-streak. Despite the vast potential shown early in his career, Rua also leaves with a very up-and-down record of 20-12-1. Rua would win eight times by (T)KO, but would find himself on the wrong end of a (T)KO seven times. Rua’s best weapon appears to be his submissions, earning ten of them throughout his career while never once being submitted himself. In eight fights that would go to a decision, Rua would win only two. Rua officially retires at just thirty-one years of age.

You can argue with me all you want, fans and friends, but I think Rua’s retirement is a perfect example of the difference between a fighter’s actual age and their “ring age”. Rua is only 31, that’s almost a decade before the dreaded 40, which is generally when people start believing than an MMA fighter should either retire soon or be doomed to go out on a string of defeats. But it’s “ring age” that has caused Rua to call it a career.

What I mean by that is this: Rua has been in so many wars that his body has simply broken down. Every hard-fought battle, every war of attrition, every bruise and bump chipped away at him. First it was small chunks, mostly due to the benefit of youth. But after so many repeated wars, eventually it became evident that Rua’s body had aged prematurely. I apply this to PRIDE fighters all the time, but only because PRIDE gave us so many utterly brutal wars. They were amazing fights, but they definitely took a whole lot out of the fighters that participated in them. This isn’t just a PRIDE issue, though.

No matter where it takes place, a warrior can only fight so many wars until he stops being the famed warrior of old. We see this with people like Chuck Liddell, whose chin took so many brutal shots that eventually its world-famous indestructibility was tested and found wanting over and over again. We see this with people like Mirko Filipovic, who used his legs to his advantage so many times that eventually he sustained several leg and foot-related injuries that permanently weakened the strength of his leg strikes. We can’t ignore this issue for much longer, fans and friends.

Of course, this is all my opinion. But I think that “Ninja” Rua is a perfect example of “ring age” being a much larger factor in a fighter calling it a career than their actual age. And what about you, fans and friends? Agree or disagree?

Rafael Cordeiro, Silva’s former trainer for his Chute Boxe days, tops the list.

The two have reunited this year when “The Axe Murderer” made a successful debut in the 185-pound division, after a long and storied career n the light heavyweight division, defeating Michael Bisping at UFC 110 in Sydney, Australia, with Cordeiro in his corner.

Assisting him in the weeks leading up to the fight, Silva has acknowledged that training again with whom he calls his “Master”, Cordeiro has replicated the same success in other fighters and will now assist Silva in bringing back the old Chute Boxe team once again.

The old Chute Boxe, for the uninformed, produced some of the greatest Brazilian monsters, in the world of mixed martial arts. The aforementioned PRIDE middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva, current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, UFC light heavyweight champion “Shogun” Rua, former EliteXC middleweight champion Murilo Rua (among others) all called Chute Boxe home at one point.

While these greats went their separate ways, it’s Wanderlei’s dream to reunite everyone once again, in order to gain back that positive energy that all of these friend’s had shared together once before.

“This guy is an idol now”, said Silva while speaking with trainer Cordeiro of Mauricio.

“And the guy is amazing. Shogun is gnarly. Come back and bring back your energy for us. We need your energy here. Ninja (Murlio Rua). Come on Ninja, come train with us. I think that all of us with the same spirit and the same ideals… we have to unite again.”

During the video, Silva makes mention that Mauricio has already came down to the Wand Training facilities in Las Vegas, Nev. in order to speak with his former head trainer, Cordeiro, in order to have the Brazilian back amongst the ranks of Wanderlei and some new partners, including Fabricio Werdum, Renato Sobral and UFC’s Mark Munoz to name a few.

“The secret is union, sincerity, loyalty and a strong spirit”, says Rafael, who like Wanderlei would like to assemble his former protege’s in a conductive and fun working environment.

“Another person who I would like to help, and right now I’m making myself available to help, I can’t train right now, but even if it’s just psychological… Anderson (Silva)”, said the MMA legend.

“Anderson, we want to help you in anyway you need”.

If Wanderlei had his way, he’s mentioned the likes of Jose Aldo, the WEC featherweight champion as well.

So, MMA peeps, what do you make of the news? Sound off in the comment section below.

But first, here’s how the Middleweight roster breaks down. Looking at the title picture from left to right, the EA Sports Middleweight roster features Benji Radach, Lyman Good, Matt Lindland, Luke Rockhold, Frank Trigg, Joe Riggs, Kazuo Misaki, Scott Smith, Murilo Rua, Tim Kennedy, Pat Miletich, Jake Shields, Nick Thompson, Melvin Manhoef, Robbie Lawler, Dan Henderson, Gegard Mousasi, Jason Miller, Cung Le, Nick Diaz, Frank Shamrock, and Ronaldo Souza.

It should be noted that eight fighters in the Middleweight division are carry-overs from the already-announced Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight divisions. There’s some debate going around the internet gaming forums as to whether or not this is a cheap move in order to cut the time down on coding and creating different fighters, or a good way to ensure quality cross-division super-fights. I personally think it’s a little of both: I think the roster is a little limited, but the fact that you can play as your favorite fighter in several different weight classes mostly balances that out. Plus, with download-a-fighter being included, I think this game’s roster will be massive once people start creating famous MMA fighters are putting them online for anybody and everybody to download.

Much like the UFC including the famous Madison Square Garden in their “UFC Undisputed” games, it’s recently been confirmed that EA Sports MMA will have the Cowboys Stadium as an in-game venue despite the fact that a major Mixed Martial Arts event has never been booked there. An online image has already surfaced, which you can view here. Even as a huge fan of UFC Undisputed 2009, I think Madison Square Garden was really under-played in both UFC 2009 and 2010. Not so with Cowboys Stadium- the images revealed so far look downright amazing. I may actually get goosebumps when my Create-a-Fighter either defends or tries to get at the Strikeforce Championship in that mega-arena.

The last time I was this excited for a sports game, my hopes met quite the rude awakening. So, even with all the hype I’m buying into, I know that there’s still a chance for EA Sports MMA to let me down in much the same way that UFC Undisputed 2010 let me down. But until that day, I have to say…this is shaping up to be a genre-defining game. Every time I hear something new about this game, it’s something I think I could find myself enjoying immensely. When October 19 hits, I’ve got a pretty good feeling that there’s going to be a new Undisputed Champion of Mixed Martial Arts video games.

But what about you, fans and friends? How high would you rate your anticipation of “EA Sports MMA”?

Rua told Tatame, “Andre Dida went today to Japan to fight at DREAM.13 and I’ll fight in the next edition, at April 24 in Seoul, South Korea. I don’t have an opponent yet, but I’m already training.”

Rua TKO’d Golden Glory’s Jason Jones (3-9-1) at Bitetti Combat 5 in São Paulo December 12.

Rua is also expected to fight Falaniko Vitale (25-8) at Shine Fights third iteration May 15.

Rua is fresh off a TKO of Golden Glory’s Jason Jones (3-9-1) at Bitetti Combat 5 in São Paulo December 12.

Vitale has been on hiatus since losing a three-round decision to “Twinkle Toes” Frank Trigg (19-7) at Strikeforce in Denver in October 2008.

In his second consecutive fight for Bitetty Combat, Filho submitted Tatsuhiko Nishizaka (3-5-1) in 3:00 of round one in the main event.

Filho is the former WEC middleweight champion and has challenged Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi (23-2-1).  But, Filho recently bailed on a scheduled fight at DREAM 12 in Osaka October 25 and Strikeforce has shown no public interest in signing Filho and making the fight.

Rua TKO’d Golden Glory’s Jason Jones (3-9-1) at 3:20 of round two in a light heavyweight fight.  Rua hinted that he might continue to fight at 205-pounds.

Monson lost a unanimous decision to “Rock” Pedro Rizzo (17-9) at Bitetti Combat 4 in Rio de Janeiro September 12.  The same night, Teixeira  submitted “Chocolate” Leonardo Lucio Nascimento (7-7) in a guillotine choke in the first round.

Rizzo will matchup versus “Python” Valentijn Overeem (26-21) in the main event in São Paulo.

Overeem comes in to the fight off a first round loss to Rafal Dabrowski (3-1) at Beast of the East in Gdynia, Poland November 14.

“Ninja” Murilo Rua (17-10-1) also returns to Bitetti Combat versus Jason Jones (3-8-1).

Arona beat “Beastman” Marvin Eastman (16-10-1), who nearly missed the fight due to Brazilian visa miscommunications. The win was Arona’s first MMA fight since getting KO’d in round one versus “African Assassin” Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (6-4) at PRIDE 34 in Tokyo in April 2007. Arona had turned to professional surfing during his hiatus from fighting, but is now devoted to MMA.

Filho, himself on course for a sort of comeback after a disappointing conclusion to his WEC stint last year, beat Alex Schoenauer (13-10) controversially. Filho’s hometown crowd booed the judges’ decision.

Fellow Brazlian “Rock” Pedro Rizzo (17-9) also scored a three-round UD over “Snowman” Jeff Monson (31-9) in a rematch Rizzo had won by TKO at Art of War 3 in Dallas in September 2007.

“Ninja” Murilo Rua (17-10-1) TKO’d Alex Stiebling (18-11-1) in the first round with a head kick followed up with a barrage of punches.

The Pit’s Glover Teixeira (8-2) submitted “Chocolate” Leonardo Lucio Nascimento (7-7) in a guillotine choke in the first round.

Fabio Maldonado (5-1) won a three-round UD over Vitor Miranda (1-2).

Milton Vieira (9-6-1) won a three-round split decision over Luciano Azevedo (13-7).

“Besouro” Luis Dutra, Jr. (1-0) TKO’d “Chocolate” Henrique Nogueira (5-5-1) with punches in round one.

Cassiano Tytschyo (6-3) submitted Fausto Black (1-2) in a guillotine choke in round one.

“Pulga” Alexandre Pimental (2-0) won a UD over “Yzzy” Luciano Corea (1-2).

Rua will fight Nogueira’s intended opponent, “Brazilian Killa” Alex Stiebling (19-10-1), in what becomes a more evenly matched fight. Rua lost a two-round UD to Riki Fukuda (12-4) at DREAM 8 in Nagoya 5 April.

Stiebling lost by second round TKO to “Chteki” Moise Rimbon (12-8-2) at Bodog Fight 3 in Costa Rica in February 2007.

Rogerio’s twin brother, fifth-ranked heavyweight and former PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champion “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31-5-1), had announced on a Tuesday media conference call that “Li’l Nog’” was negotiating with the UFC and would be dropping off the Bitetti card, later confirmed to MMA Weekly by the Nogueira brothers’ manager Ed Soares.

However, Fighters.com reported how “Minotoro” had made a personal commitment to promoter Amaury Bitetti (5-2) the very day of his brother’s announcement, hedging in case a deal couldn’t be worked with the UFC. The organizers of Bitetti Combat become wary of the likelihood Rogerio would eventually break his promise and contacted Rua to replace him.

Though Fighters.com’s sources couldn’t confirm the status of negotiations between Rogerio and the UFC, his official absence from Bitetti hints that negotiations have concluded successfully and the Nogueira brothers will reunite in the UFC. Fighters.com expects an official announcement from the UFC toot sweet.

Bitetti Combat will be broadcast 12 September on RedeTV! in Brazil and Fighters.com’s sources indicate a deal broadcasting the card to North America on HDNet is nigh.

Radach is expected to earn an EliteXC title shot versus fourth-ranked “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (16-4).

“Man, I hit him so hard a lot of times,” Radach said after the referee pushed him off of Rua after landing four unanswered punches to Rua’s head as he lie on the mat.

“Ninja” had stumbled after launching a flying knee and Radach fed him a straight right, then three right hooks.

The finish resembled the entire fight: Radach landing sledgehammers to Rua’s head.

Rua was most successful on the mat in the first round when he worked a Kimura, then nearly locked in a heel hook until Radach rolled free.

UFC Hall of Famer and “World’s Most Dangerous Man” Ken Shamrock (26-13-2) was named as “Kimbo Slice” Kevin Ferguson‘s (3-0) opponent for the night’s main event.

Fighters.com’s third-ranked welterweight Jake Shields (21-4-1) will defend his EliteXC title for the first time against Brit “Semtex” Paul Daley (18-6-2).

Benji Radach (18-4) will make his EliteXC debut against “Ninja” Murilo Rua (16-8-1) in a middleweight match-up.

After Shamrock lost his last three fights in the UFC, he lost once more to “Buzz” Robert Berry (12-8) by first-round KO in March.

“Kimbo Slice” will look to win his fourth in a row after his third-round TKO over “Colossus” James Thompson (14-9) in May.

Shields won his tenth consecutive fight in July when he submitted tenth-ranked “Goat” Nick Thompson (36-10-1) in 1:03 with a guillotine.

Daley has six straight wins, the last one over the previously unbeaten “Zelva” Bojan Kosednar (6-1) by first-round knockout in July.

Ex-IFLer Radach lost his first fight in six when “Suave” Matt Horwich (23-10-1) knocked him out in round two in December.

Rua, EliteXC’s first middleweight champ, handed “The Gun” Tony Bonello (16-1-1) his first career loss in June via first-round TKO.

“It sounds like it’s going to be in my hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico,” Villasenor said. “We’re just waiting on confirmation of who it’s going to be [against].”

“They keep on bringing up Ninja’s name. They’re bringing up other names, but Ninja is the one that is sticking out right now.”

Villasenor has won his last three fights, most recently against “New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni (12-10) in May via first-round TKO.

His last loss was by second-round TKO to Rua in June 2007, when they battled for EliteXC’s first-ever middleweight title.

Rua lost the belt in his next fight in September to current champ “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (16-4) via TKO in round two.

“I’m the champion and have the EliteXC belt,” Noons declared after his impressive victory.  “I’ll fight anybody!”

Noons may be destined for a rematch with the fighter EliteXC created the 160-pound division to crown as champion, Nick Diaz (17-7).

Diaz TKO’d Muhsin Corbbrey (8-3) in the third round.

“If they say Nick deserves a rematch,” Noons said, “then we can fight and I’ll beat him again…if he can make 160 pounds.”

Diaz weighed-in at 169 pounds for his fight versus Corbbrey, originally a 160-pound match-up.

“He must have weighed 200 pounds,” Corbbrey, who was warned before the weigh-ins that Diaz wouldn’t make the limit, said.  “He out-fought me and I respect him for that.  But, he wore me out when he leaned on me.”

“I hated coming in that heavy,” Diaz said.  “I worked very hard to cut the weight; but, it just wouldn’t come off.  I will and can still make 160 pounds and will fight KJ any time, any place.”

Diaz is yo-yoing between EliteXC’s 160-pound division and DREAM’s welterweight division, where he’s scheduled to fight “Mach” Hayato Sakurai(32-8-2) for DREAM’s title.

Notably, Diaz was cut beneath his left eye versus Corbbrey despite surgery he had after his loss to Noons to file down his ocular bones and reduce cutting.

After the main event, the cage hosted a scuffle between the Noons and Diaz camps.

“Nick has no class, he’s a bum, a piece of shit,” Noons blasted, “and he and his team disrespected my family and I with their gestures and trash talk and tried to upstage our fight.”

Diaz apologized, “I’m sorry about what happened in the cage afterward, but I didn’t start it.  His guys were talking shit to us.”

In other fights, ICON Middleweight Champion Kala Kolohe Hose (6-2), comping off his biggest career victory over “New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni (10-10), was upset in a rear naked choke by Bubba McDaniel (12-4) in just 41 seconds.

Middleweight “Ninja” Murilo Rua (16-8-1) served Aussie Tony Bonello (16-1-1) his first loss in a first-round TKO at 3:16.

“I get criticized by people who don’t think I have good striking skills so I’m happy to win the way I did,” Rua said.  “This fight was dedicated to my baby boy who is due in late August or early September.”

Light heavyweight Rafael Feijao(6-1) TKO’d Wayne cole (11-7) at 2:47 of round one.

Heavyweight “Pee Wee” Dave Herman(11-0) TKO’d “H20″ Ron Waterman (15-6-2) at 2:19 of round one with a roundhouse kick that turned “H20′s” legs to water.

Mark Oshiro(11-1) TKO’d “Red Bull” Chris Willems (2-2-1) at 2:12 of round one.

Kaleo Kwan (9-8) won a UD over Mike Aina (9-7-1).

PJ Dean (1-3-1) and Dean Lista (3-1-1) fought to a majority draw.

Villasenor has won twice since losing to Rua by TKO in June 2007.  He won a split decision over Riki Fukuda (9-3) and knocked out Ryan Jensen (11-4) last month.

Baroni returns after losing an Icon middleweight title bout to Kala Kalohe Hose (6-1) in March.

No explanation for the change has been given.