Following the split draw between the pair at UFC on ESPN+ 22 on Saturday night, Paul Craig has made no secret of the fact that he wants to face Mauricio Rua again.

But he also revealed another motivation for facing him a second time. He wants to retire the Brazilian legend.

Craig (12-4-1 MMA, 4-4-1 UFC) said he had hoped to draw a line under Rua’s illustrious career in Sao Paulo by being the last man to face him before he hangs up his gloves.

“I didn’t tell the media that, but I had told my coaches that (before the fight),” Craig said at the post-event news conference. “What I said was – and you need to have a bit of confidence in this sport – I said I would love to be ‘Shogun’ Rua’s last fight. I would love for ‘Shogun’ Rua to take the gloves off and leave them in the center of the octagon after I had, obviously, got the victory.”

Those pre-fight hopes didn’t come to fruition on fight night in Brazil. Craig and Rua (26-11-1 MMA, 10-9-1 UFC) battled to a draw after three grueling rounds. And while the Scot had no issues with the scoring of the fight, he said he was taking the positives from his short-notice assignment.

“Straight after the fight, I was very disappointed,” he said. “But after I had time reflect on it, to come to Brazil and fight the legend that is Rua in his home country and get a draw is a good result for me.”

Craig spoke about a possible return to action at a rumored event in his home city of Glasgow next year, and said that he fancied another fight with a Brazilian, whether that turns out to be ‘Shogun’ or not.

“I did want him to retire, but I want that next fight,” he said. “I want that full fight camp. And if I don’t get ‘Shogun’ Rua, give me another Brazilian.”