Home » UFC » What Age Do UFC Fighters Retire?

What Age Do UFC Fighters Retire?

Posted on:

Khabib

Do you know that there has been a considerable increase in the brand value of UFC in recent years? Not only this, but the company has been able to identify many renowned mixed martial arts superheroes. 

With a crazy fan following of around 32.7 million followers on Instagram only, UFC has been back in action. The company deals with mixed martial arts and is one of the largest ones in the world. Under the presidency of Dana White, the company has achieved great popularity. 

The retirement age of UFC fighters has been a hot topic nowadays. Often fighters might not retire at the right time, which might be risky for them and the company’s reputation. Keep reading this article to know what age UFC fighters retire and much more.

What Age Do UFC Fighters Retire? ‎

Most UFC fighters tend to retire between the age of 35 to 40. For most of us, retirement happens after you’ve worked for a long time at a job, then you stop working altogether. However, that is not the case for professional mixed martial artists. 

There are times when they just quit and never return. At this time, they start thinking about their future, and it’s no longer about becoming a champion or being at the top of the rankings. Instead, they’re thinking about what they can do after their career in UFC has ended. 

While this is a difficult time, they must also consider their health and well-being. They need to consider whether they want to stay in shape or lose weight.

Retirement in the UFC 

Retirement is different for every fighter. Some fighters retire after winning their first UFC title. Then some fighters compete for their second and third title. 

Regardless of the number of titles you win, the most important thing is that you’ve accomplished something in the sport of mixed martial arts. That is why retirement is a bit different for each person. Some fighters never return after retirement. Others return, but not as a fighter.

Reasons for Late Retirement 

According to UFC fighters, it is way too hard to quit fighting at UFC because, for this reason, they might retire late. Other varied reasons include the considerable amount of income it generates and the high reputation they hold.

UFC fighters are known for their dedication, hard work, courage, and determination. They are constantly training in the gym, fighting at the highest level possible, and regularly competing. 

However, it has also created a very competitive environment where the fighters fight for everything they have. The fact that the best fighters are competing at the highest level has created a situation competitive fighters might be forced to retire later than they would like to. 

To be able to retire at a suitable time, they need to know how to manage their career and finances. A fighter needs to make the right decisions to be able to retire on his terms.

Reasons for Early Retirement

There can be many reasons why a UFC fighter retires early. Some of the most common causes include receiving injuries that may not allow them to play further.MMA is a demanding sport. If a fighter does not have the necessary strength, speed, stamina, or skill, they may not be able to compete.

Other times, the fighters get tired of the sport and decide to hang it up. Fighters need to know why they are retiring because that will allow them to plan accordingly in their career. 

Some fighters decide to retire early because they are tired of the sport. There are many reasons why they might be tired of the sport. They may be tired of the lifestyle. They may be tired of the travel. They may not care about the sport anymore and want to spend more time with their family.

Fighters can retire early because of the burnout they go through. They may feel like they have done everything in the sport, and there is nothing left for them to do. This could lead them to retire early. 

Some common reasons for feeling this way might be feeling burned out by the injuries they have sustained or by the mental aspect of being a fighter.

What Special Rewards Do UFC Fighters Get After Retirement?

UFC fighters are not granted any pension or extra benefits after they retire. There has been some air about granting funds to them soon; however, there are no such programs for the time being.  

Most UFC fighters retire with a sense of accomplishment and a healthy bank account. Additionally, some rewards after retirement can include invitations to attend special events or receive personalized gifts from UFC.

Moreover, if the fighter goes through any injury, they have to pay out of their pocket for the treatment. For now, the sport of martial arts is at its young age and provides zero compensation for the fighter’s injuries. 

However, UFC fighters do get bonuses based on their performance. UFC has the rule to pay bonuses to three kinds of fight cards; fight of the night, knockout of the night, and submission of the night. According to resources, the bonus is somewhere between 50 to 60 thousand US dollars.

What Is The Right Time For UFC Fighters To Retire?

The appropriate age for a UFC fighter to retire can range from 30 to 35. There is no set limit for retirement age. Some fighters might retire in their 20s, whereas some might even play in their 50s. 

However, it is quite challenging to determine the right time to retire because the factors which affect the decision are endless, and the list of variables is long.

How do fighters know if they are ready for retirement is a difficult question to answer. Many fighters retire when they feel like they’re done. However, if they are unsure, they should wait and play. There is a difference between feeling like you’re done and being done. 

Who Is The Oldest UFC Fighter Till Date?

The oldest UFC fighter in the world to date is Randy Couture. He fought in the UFC till age 47. He made his debut in the UFC in 1997 and continued to play there until his retirement. Couture even went for a brief retirement in 2006 but was seen back in the field after some time.  

Conclusion

The retirement age for a professional fighter depends on the individual. It can be due to injury, losing their fighting edge, wanting to spend time with family, or just because to do something else. No matter at what age these fighters retire it is important to make a proper retirement plan before ending their career.

Source(s):