During yesterdays TUF Live weigh-ins, UFC President Dana White stuck around after all the fighter made weight to make a special announcement. White starts out by telling a story of a fighter he saw fight in Boston, who he was so impressed with in defeat he offered him a spot on the first season of the Ultimate fighter.
It’s a rarity that an athlete goes out on top; typically the competitive spirit keeps them in the game one too many. Heading into his UFC on FX bout with Eric Schafer, Jorge Rivera made it known that this would be his last MMA fight. After 29 professional bouts, Rivera had decided to hang them up and put it all on the line for the fans in Nashville, Tennessee.
I swear Roy Nelson is hiding a six-pack under that suit. We’ll know exactly how slim and trim he is at today’s weigh in’s but I wouldn’t be surprised if Nelson’s mobile device gets blown up this weekend with messages from Men’s Health and GQ.
A month ago, we all saw Chris “Lights Out” Lytle (31-18-5) take his career into his own hands and announce his retirement before his bout with Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy (23-10-1). He stated that regardless of the outcome, he was going to walk away from MMA on his own terms. Fortunately for Lytle, he picked up the victory over Hardy and was able to ride into the sunset on a positive note. Last weekend, UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes (46-9) took a page out of Lytle’s book and hinted that his bout with Koscheck at UFC 135 could be his last.
Two time welterweight champion, NCAA division 1 wrestler, UFC hall of fame inductee, holding the most wins inside the UFC at eighteen, Matt Hughes goes into UFC 135 this Saturday night in what could very well be his last match. Since his victory over former rival Matt Serra, the question has loomed – how many fights were left in him?
Chris Lytle is “Lights Out” by his style of putting opponents out and now by deciding when to turn the lights off on his career, on his own terms. Walking away Sunday night, he leaves with a submission win over Dan Hardy and $130,000 in his pocket after recording a record 9th & 10th post fight bonuses in the organization.
Not having the hunger or desire to fight anymore for a fighter is like a marathon running saying they don’t have the hunger or desire to run, it’s a big deal. That’s the case for the UFC veteran and Ultimate Fighter 3 contestant, Matt “The Hammer” Hamill who announced his retirement from MMA today.
This past weekend, at UFC 132, Tito Ortiz shocked the world when he defeated Ryan Bader and rejuvenated his career. Moments later, another legend’s career came crashing down as Chris Leben left Wanderlei Silva face down on the canvas after just twenty-six seconds. For many MMA fans it was an emotional, bittersweet night that went from a huge peak to a low valley in just a matter of minutes.
