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MMA is a grueling sport. For years, many top UFC fighters have competed well past their prime and suffered the consequences. It's rare to see a fighter realize where they’re at and retire before their skills diminish. Many fighters have tried to extend their careers in an attempt to recapturing their past glory. As a result, there have been many greats that have fought too long and paid the price for it.
Fighting past one’s prime could result in their legacy in the sport being tarnished. This is why it’s important for fighters to have a great support system as it can save them unnecessary punishment. There have been a handful of fighters that walked away from the UFC on their own terms with their legacy intact. This list will look at 5 such fighters.
#5. UFC Hall of Famer Dan Henderson
Dan Henderson had an Olympic wrestling background, which immediately made him a threat in MMA. 'Hendo’s career began in 1997 and he had his first taste of success when he won the UFC 17 middleweight tournament. He then joined Pride FC, where he won the Pride middleweight and welterweight championships, and the 2005 welterweight Grand Prix.
Henderson had great longevity in the sport as his career spanned from 1997 to 2016. Throughout his career, Henderson remained active against top competition and wasn’t in a situation where fans were clamoring for his retirement. As a light heavyweight, Henderson would win gold once again.
He defeated Rafael Cavalcante to become Strikeforce light heavyweight champion in 2011. This was significant, as Henderson had won a championship in another major promotion and in three different weight-classes. Henderson followed that up with one of the biggest wins of his career when he defeated Fedor Emelianenko by TKO.
At 46-years-old, ‘Hendo’ attempted to capture the one championship he hadn’t yet won in his career. He challenged Michael Bisping for the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 204. The bout was a rematch from their encounter at UFC 100. However, Bisping got his hand raised this time. Following the loss, Henderson officially retired after a Fight of the Night performance.
#4. UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture
Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture had a decorated career inside the octagon. He was the first-ever UFC fighter to win a championship in two divisions. Couture is a three-time UFC heavyweight champion and two-time UFC light heavyweight champion.
Like Dan Henderson, Couture was a high-level wrestler. The UFC Hall of Famer is a former NCAA All-American wrestler and Pan-Am gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling.
What makes Couture’s MMA career even more impressive is that he began at 33-years-old. His first experience was winning the UFC 13 Heavyweight tournament. His career lasted 14 years and he remained competitive until his final fight. Couture was riding a three-fight winning streak prior to his final UFC bout against Lyoto Machida. Among those wins was Brandan Vera, Mark Coleman, and boxing legend James Toney.
At 48-years-old, Couture could’ve continued competing if he wanted to but he felt the Machida fight was the perfect time to retire. Couture has since transitioned to acting and played a main role in The Expendables franchise.
#3. Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier is arguably one of the greatest fighters of all time. He was dominant at both heavyweight and light heavyweight and only suffered losses in title fights to Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones.
Cormier made his MMA debut in 2009 and it didn’t take long for him to be considered one of the best in the sport. In 2010, Cormier took advantage of a massive opportunity in Strikeforce, winning the heavyweight Grand Prix as an alternate. During that Grand Prix, Cormier defeated Jeff Monson, Antonio ‘Big Foot’ Silva, and former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett.
Cormier eventually became UFC heavyweight champion with a win over Stipe Miocic. When Cormier’s bout with Brock Lesnar didn’t come to fruition, he retained his UFC heavyweight championship against Derrick Lewis. Cormier lost the title to Miocic in their rematch at UFC 241. Cormier proved he was still a top heavyweight at 40-years-old. However, he retired and took his talents to the broadcasting side of the sport full-time.
Despite UFC President Dana White being skeptical of Cormier retiring, he ended up confirming it after UFC 252. Cormier is now an MMA analyst and show host at ESPN as well as a commentator for the UFC.
#2. Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov was one of the most dominant fighters to ever compete in the UFC. He has incredible grappling and would take his opponents down and leave them exhausted. Even against high-level strikers, Khabib imposed his will and continued picking up wins.
After struggling with injuries, Khabib finally found consistency with his career. He defeated everybody put in front of him on his way to becoming lightweight champion. He retained his title by submitting Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje before retiring from the sport.
The passing of Khabib’s father was a big factor in his decision to retire. ‘The Eagle’s retirement as undefeated champion while still in his prime proves that he retired on his own terms. There were plenty of lucrative fights for Khabib if he chose to continue fighting. A superfight with Georges St-Pierre, the long awaited bout with Tony Ferguson and a rematch with McGregor were all plausible.
With the rise of Islam Makhachev, Khabib seems content with his retirement and has fully embraced being a coach.
#1. Georges St-Pierre
Georges ‘Rush’ St-Pierre is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all-time. He was dominant during his reign as UFC welterweight champion and avenged all of his losses.
GSP’s legacy was always important to him. St-Pierre relinquished his UFC welterweight championship following his title defense against Johny Hendricks and took a hiatus from MMA. St-Pierre etched his name in the history books at UFC 217 when he defeated Bisping to become the UFC middleweight champion. St-Pierre once again relinquished the title due to suffering from colitis.
After a superfight with then-UFC lightweight champion Khabib didn’t materialize, St-Pierre announced his retirement from MMA. St-Pierre didn’t defend the middleweight championship against top middleweight contenders or pursue a lucrative fight with McGregor. St-Pierre wasn't really motivated by cash-grab fights that fans expected him to win.
Instead, he was motivated by the challenge of doing the unthinkable. He proved that when he accepted the middleweight title fight against Bisping after a 4 year hiatus. St-Pierre made it clear that a fight with Khabib would be the only one worth risking his legacy for.
