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The Challenge star says Season 40 will be his last -- 'The Last Dance'

As fans gear up for the 40th season of MTV's The Challenge, Battle of the Eras, there's a bit of a bittersweet vibe kicking in.

By Perry Carpenter

The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras – Official Trailer
The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras – Official Trailer / MTV's The Challenge
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Horacio Gutierrez’s Instagram post about Season 40 was a mix of cool pics including his own cast photo and a group shot of the Era 4 crew, all under the caption “The Last Dance.” 

That’s the same phrase tied to the Chicago Bulls’ legendary final run with Michael Jordan. It seems like Horacio might be signaling his own exit stage left from the adrenaline-pumping world of The Challenge.

“The Last Dance,” Horacio captioned his Instagram post.

Horacio’s run on the show has been nothing short of impressive. From his debut in season 37, he’s shown he’s not just here to play—he’s here to win. 

With his knack for strategy and his solid physical game, he’s been a force to be reckoned with, nabbing finals spots and racking up eliminations. 

Before hitting the reality TV scene, he was tearing it up on the soccer field in college and even showed off his athletic chops on Exatlon Estados Unidos. But now, his cryptic IG post has us all wondering if this season is his final showdown.

The Challenge fans react to Horacio Gutierrez’s retirement tease

Fans of The Challenge had a field day in the comments section of Horacio's post. The vibe was a mix of shock, denial, and a whole lot of support. 

One fan seemed hopeful, tossing out there: “You mean last dance for this year right?? AND THEN coming back next year?” Others weren’t having any of it, with responses like: “No sir it won’t be the last dance we refuse this statement.” It’s clear nobody's ready to see him go.

The support didn’t stop there. Fans rallied behind Horacio, calling him “a legend in the making” and urged him not to hang up his competitive hat just yet, especially since he’s “just getting started.” 

His real-deal romance with Nurys Mateo also got a shout-out for its authenticity, which is pretty rare to see on TV these days.

“Wait I read that you aren’t coming back after this. Please you are great and we love you and @nuryskmateo real relationship on tv. It’s rare to see authenticity,” one fan commented.

With The Challenge: Battle of the Eras about to kick off, all eyes will be on Horacio. 

Whether this season is truly his “Last Dance” or just another epic chapter in his reality TV career, one thing's for sure—Horacio has left a mark on The Challenge.

The Challenge: Battle of the Eras kicks off August 14 on MTV.