Manager Gilberto Faria shuts down retirement talks for Ronaldo Souza after Saturday night’s loss at UFC Fort Lauderdale against Jack Hermansson.
UFC middleweight contender Ronaldo Souza has been contemplating about retirement for a couple of years now. According to “Jacare” at the time, he has no qualms about walking away from the sport, if a title shot continues to elude him.
“No, it doesn’t go through my mind to stop fighting, but if I get full of it, I can stop fighting,” he said in 2017. “I can teach. I have this leverage. And I’m sure, I’ll have a lot of students. Do the math, 400 students training with me.”
The 39-year-old Brazilian fighter felt he was on the cusp of a crack at the belt upon knocking out former champion Chris Weidman at UFC 230 in November. That all changed on Saturday night, however, when he lost via an upset unanimous decision verdict against Jack Hermansson.
Souza was expectedly dejected after the loss, stating he “lost himself” in the middle of the fight. But as for his retirement plans, his manager Gilberto Fario addressed them via a two-worded text message response to ESPN.
“No way,” Faria replied when asked about Jacare’s retirement.
After his loss to Hermansson, Jacare now holds a record of 26-7 (with 1 NC and 22 wins by stoppage).