Time strikes quick within the action-packed world of blended martial arts. As we enter a brand new 12 months contained in the Octagon, let’s check out among the names who known as time on their careers over the previous twelve months.
MMA Fighters Who Retired In 2024
Stipe Miocic
Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic (20-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) returned to the Octagon for the primary time in three-and-a-half years in November to face Jon Jones at UFC 309. Nearly all of the discourse surrounding that battle targeted on Jones and whether or not he ought to have been going through interim champion Tom Aspinall as a substitute, which allowed Miocic to quietly slip away into retirement afterwards.
Miocic constructed up probably the most spectacular heavyweight championship resumes over his tenure contained in the Octagon. He knocked out Fabricio Werdum to win the title again in 2016 earlier than occurring to efficiently defend it in opposition to Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem and Francis Ngannou.
Miocic surrendered his belt to Daniel Cormier within the opening spherical of their conflict at UFC 226 earlier than returning a 12 months later to precise revenge on “DC” and turn into champion as soon as once more.
Demetrious Johnson
When the dialogue of MMA’s Mount Rushmore arises, the title of Demetrious Johnson (25-4-1 MMA, 15-2-1 UFC) is all the time one of many first to crop up. “Mighty Mouse” received twelve consecutive title fights within the UFC’s flyweight division between 2012 and 2018 earlier than being traded for Ben Askren in certainly one of MMA’s most weird historic moments.
“DJ” final competed in September of 2023 when he settled his trilogy with Adriano Moraes to retain his ONE bantamweight title and introduced his retirement formally in September 2024. “I’m not going to battle anymore,” Johnson instructed UFC contender Merab Dvalishvili on his podcast, which was recorded previous to his announcement at ONE 168. “The rationale why — I don’t discover blended martial arts enjoyable anymore. The rationale why, I discover extra success in doing jiu-jitsu as a result of I really feel it’s tougher. I discover extra success in serving to and coaching with completely different individuals.”
Additionally Learn: “Conor McGregor: I’m not retired!”
Carla Esparza
A trailblazer in ladies’s blended martial arts, Carla Esparza (19-8 MMA, 10-6 UFC) retired after a loss to Tecia Pennington at UFC 307 in October. “The Cookie Monster” walks away as probably the most adorned fighters within the historical past of the game.
Esparza received the Invicta strawweight title again in 2013 earlier than successful season 20 of The Final Fighter the next 12 months to turn into the inaugural UFC ladies’s strawweight champion. She misplaced the belt to Joanna Jędrzejczyk the next 12 months however bought her arms on the strap once more in 2022 when she beat Rose Namajunas at UFC 274.
Michelle Waterson-Gomez
One other former Invicta champion Michelle Waterson-Gomez (18-13 MMA, 6-9 UFC) made her remaining stroll to the Octagon at UFC 303 final June. “The Karate Hottie” had success early in her UFC profession, choosing up victories over Angela Hill, Felice Herrig, Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Paide VanZandt between 2015-2020, however a 5-fight shedding streak satisfied the 38-year-old to name time on her lengthy profession.
Additionally Learn: MMA Fighters who retired in 2022
Jack Shore
Former Cage Warriors champion Jack Shore (17-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) made the stunning choice to stroll away from the Octagon following his loss to Youssef Zalal in November. “Tank” revealed that an accumulation of accidents had been bheind the choice when he introduced his retirement through a put up on Instagram.
“For the whole lot of my 20s preventing and coaching was my life and sole focus, nonetheless, the previous couple of weeks/months have confirmed that is not the case”, wrote the Welsh featherweight, “and I all the time promised myself after I was mentality checked out I’d retire from the game somewhat than the game retire me.
“Accidents have caught up with me after a lifetime within the sport. I’m leaving with my psychological in test, good well being, financially steady, and am totally prepared to maneuver onto the long run.”
Matt Brown
Fan favourite Matt Brown (24-19 MMA, 17-13 UFC) known as time on his distinctive profession in Could after struggling to seek out the motivation battle one remaining time. “The Immortal” was final seen in motion when he knocked out fellow veteran Courtroom McGee in Could 2023 and had been hoping for one final dance contained in the Octagon in 2024. “The UFC did make me a suggestion a number of months in the past for a battle,” Brown instructed MMA Junkie.
“I bear in mind I awoke one morning and I noticed the e-mail, and my d*** didn’t get arduous. I didn’t get a sense down my backbone. I wasn’t excited”.
Brown has essentially the most knockout victories in welterweight historical past (13), and holds wins over stellar names reminiscent of Diego Sanchez, Mike Swick and Stephen Thompson.
Satoshi Ishii
The lengthy and storied profession of Satoshi Ishii (26-14-1) lastly drew to an in depth final March, seven months after his remaining battle contained in the PFL smartcage in opposition to Danilo Marques. The Japanese star received Olympic gold medal in judo in 2008 earlier than embarking on an MMA profession which noticed him compete in organizations reminiscent of Ok-1, Dream, Rizin and Bellator amongst others.
Ishii fought some legendary names all through his profession reminiscent of Tim Sylvia, Jeff Monson, “Rampage” Jackson and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.
Joanne Wooden
The third feminine veteran on this listing to hold up her gloves this 12 months, Joanne Wooden (17-8 MMA, 9-8 UFC) went out in type as she got here from behind to defeat Maryna Moroz at UFC 299 in March. “Jo Jo” fought within the UFC for ten years after showing alongside Carla Esparza on season 20 of The Final Fighter in 2014.
Matt Schnell
One of the vital thrilling fighters within the UFC flyweight division Matt Schnell (16-9-1 NC MMA, 6-7-1 NC MMA) retired in September after struggling his third consecutive loss in opposition to Cody Durden. Schnell, one other Final Fighter veteran, might be finest remembered for his chaotic two-round warfare with Sumudaerji at UFC on ABC 3 in 2022.
Germaine de Randamie
Dutch kickboxing/Muay Thai legend and former UFC featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie (10-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) known as time on her profession after shedding to Norma Dumont in April. “The Iron Girl” beat Holly Holm to win the vacant title at UFC 208 again in 2017 earlier than being uncermoniously stripped of her belt when she refused to battle Cris Cyborg.
De Randamie additionally amassed a 46-0 document in kickboxing with 30 knockouts. Alongside her victory over Holly Holm, she additionally holds wins over present UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Pena, former champion Raquel Pennington, and former PFL champion Larissa Pacheco.
