The world came to know him as “Ninja” during a successful mixed martial arts career that spanned more than decade and took him from one side of the globe to the other while he established a reputation as a true big-game hunter. Murilo Rua walked away from MMA at the age of 32, content with what he had accomplished and focused on preserving his well-being. Now 44, he still keeps his finger on the sport’s pulse as a coach and businessman.
“I remain in Curitiba, [Brazil], where I was born and raised,” Rua told Sherdog.com. “I have my own academy with various franchises around Brazil, as well as in Switzerland.