Brazilian born Lucio Linhares (18-8), who has called Finland home for years now, announced this weekend that he will retire from professional MMA after one last bout at October’s Fight Festival 33 in Helsinki, Finland.
“My friends have known it for a while already but I haven’t announced it publicly. Fighting isn’t fun for me anymore. I haven’t achieved everything that I wanted but I will turn forty in December. ” said Linhares at Rauma where he was holding a BJJ seminar.
Linhares’ told Länsi-Suomi newspaper that he wants to retire while still healthy and able to teach BJJ full time. The Brazilian, who constantly travels around Finland teaching in various gyms, has been one of most influential persons in Finnish BJJ scene for a decade now.
Linhares’ pro fighting career peaked when he made it to the UFC in 2009. In the UFC Linhares was thrown to the deep end right away with bouts against Yushin Okami and Rousimar Palhares, both of which finished Linhares in the second round. However in the Euro circuit Linhares did score notable wins like the ones over Mikhail Zayats, Karl Amoussou and Tor Troeng who have all succeeded later on the international level.
