MMA is a constantly evolving sport, with a revolving door of athletes coming and going. Today, the fighters from the era who helped make the sport so popular are starting to step away from competition and hang up their gloves to move on to the next chapter in life.
But if there’s one thing that’s well-known about retirements in combat sports, it’s that they generally don’t last very long. The desire to compete and, perhaps more importantly, to get a payday, will continue to drive fighters back even well beyond their expiration dates.
2024 has already seen a number of notable fighters announcing that they have quit the sport, and we have a list of those who have chosen to quit this year (the list will be updated as new retirements are announced).
Malcolm Gordon
MMA debut date: October 19, 2012
Retirement date: January 21, 2024
Age: 33
Record: 14-8
Notable victories: Francisco Figueiredo and Chris Kelades
Source: Gordon’s retirement announcement
Mark Madsen
MMA debut date: September 26, 2013
Retirement date: January 31, 2024
Age: 39
Record: 12-2
Notable victories: Clay Guida and Vinc Pichel
Source: Madsen’s retirement announcement
Felice Herrig
MMA debut date: February 21, 2009
Retirement date: February 10, 2024
Age: 39
Record: 14-10
Notable victories: Alexa Grasso and Cortney Casey
Source: Herrig’s retirement announcement
Jamie Pickett
MMA debut date: September 24, 2011
Retirement date: March 2, 2024
Age: 35
Record: 13-11
Notable victories: Jhonoven Pati at DWCS, Joseph Holmes and Laureano Staropoli at UFC
Source: UFC Fight Night 238 Post-Fight Press Conference
Tyson Pedro
MMA debut date: September 23, 2013
Retirement date: March 2, 2024
Age: 32
Record: 10-5
Notable victories: Khalil Rountree Jr., Paul Craig in the UFC.
Source: Interview in the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 238 after defeat to Vitor Petrino.
Satoshi Ishii
MMA debut date: December 31, 2009
Retirement date: March 3, 2024
Age: 37
Record: 25-13-1
Notable victories: Tim Sylvia, Perdo Rizzo, Jeff Monson, Philip De Fries, Heath Herring
Source: Tokyo sports
Joanne Madeira
MMA debut date: February 25, 2012
Retirement date: March 9, 2024
Age: 38
Record: 17-8
Notable victories: Cortney Casey, Valerie Letourneau, Andrea Lee, Jessica Eye, Maryna Moroz
Source: Announcement in the octagon after a split decision win over Maryna Moroz at UFC 299.