Three Historic UFC Fighters Retire This Week

Three Historic UFC Fighters Retire This Week

By Dan McConnell

This week has been a hectic one for retirements in the world of MMA.

It was announced that former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks officially called time of his career. Hendricks (18-8) made the announcement that he will hang up his gloves after more than 10 years of MMA competition.

At the age of 34 he has said he plans to put his efforts into coaching wrestling while stepping away from the octagon.

Hendricks’ shining moment came in a Welterweight title fight against GSP who was seen as unbeatable at this stage in his career. Hendricks lost via split decision in a fight many believed he did enough to win. Four months later when GSP relinquished the belt, Hendricks and Robbie Lawler faced off at UFC171 for the title in which ‘Big Rig’ came out victorious. This fight has been described as the shining moment of Hendricks long-storied career.

Also this week it was announced that Rashad Evans (19-8) issued a heart-felt farewell to the MMA community, announcing his retirement from the UFC.

After a career of 13 years, winner of season 2 of The Ultimate Fighter and former UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion, ‘Suga’ goes down as one of the most decorated fighters in the history of the sport.

Evans’ retirement comes at a good time as he hasn’t won a professional fight since his victory at UFC 167 over Chael Sonnen in 2013 and has been on a five-fight loosing skid since.

It was also announced that former The Ultimate Fighter season 1 winner and UFC Welterweight title contender Josh Koscheck announced his official retirement from the sport this week. Koscheck was on a 6 fight losing streak and hasn’t fought since his last bout inside a Bellator cage in February 2017.

Koscheck (17-11) officially closes the book on an MMA career that spanned 13 years with 28 bouts, including 25 for the UFC which started back in 2005.