'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAhYX/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAECEAAAAD//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAE//xAAiEAAABQMEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEEQASEwUGFSEyYeH/2gAIAQEAAT8AY7RcutC5DOlhVutKIjdJB7nr3SjFuRQxBUPJRjw+1//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR/9oACAECAQE/AK//xAAYEQACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADEf/aAAgBAwEBPwBK1K6Z/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
'Uncle Creepy' Ian McCall said on 'The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani' that he is officially retiring from professional mixed martial arts after sixteen-year long career.
In case you didn't know...
McCall is a former UFC flyweight and was one of the best prospects in the division before signing up for Rizin FC.
Previously in Rizin, Kyoji Horiguchi stopped McCall in 00:09 seconds of the first-round via punches during the Rizin 10 event at Fukuoka.
Between January 2015 and December 2017, McCall had been booked for six consecutive canceled fights, four of which were canceled during the fight week.
The heart of the matter
Speaking to Ariel Helwani, McCall Said, ‘I’ve Had A Good Run, But It’s Over’.
He said, this sport has given him the best time of his life, and it's been a long career and he is mentally exhausted now and doesn't feel like continuing.
He added that he still enjoys fighting but with his bad unfortunately his career growth is going downwards and it seems pointless to continue.
Speaking about the referee stoppage in his last fight, he said it was an early stoppage and the referee acknowledged the mistake and apologized after the match.
He further stated that he doesn't have any brain injury and feels great mentally and never felt happier before.
What's next?
McCall expressed his concerns about retired fighters future and also expressed his interest to contribute towards the game as an analyst or commentator.
He also expressed his interest in coming back for a big money fight in the future, If he gets an opportunity.
.Author's take
Uncle Creepy is a pioneer of the game and one of the best flyweights we've had the pleasure of seeing compete.
But, unfortunately, his career was impeded by various injuries and some major bad luck.
He is the only fighter in the flyweight division who gave Mighty Mouse problems and had all the required skills to be a big star.
Hope he finds fulfillment in whatever endeavor he pursues next and wish him all the best for his future.
