The UFC saw an incredible year that included highs, lows, downfalls and quick rising stars. New stars emerged and legends called it a day in 2023 more than any other year in recent memory as the UFC continues to celebrate 30 years in the business. Some brokethrough while others came up short on thier final bids to become champions. Perhaps its fitting the final fight of the year saw The welterweight champion Leon Edwards take a step to immortality while Colby Covington might have had his final title oppurtunity…
THE RETIREMENTS:
In a year that was celebrating 30 years it was also one filled w/ more fighters retiring than any other year in recent memory.
01. MAURICIO “SHOGUN” RUA - Shogun retired January 21st after 21 years and countless title reighns in the industry. He finished w/ a 27-14-1 Record w/ wins over Legends like Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida, Quinton Jackson and More…
02. GLOVER TEIXEIRA - Glover Won he Light Heavyweight title in 2021 and on Jan 21st after losing the title a few months prior, he decided he had done what he wanted to do in the sport.
03. BENSON “SMOOTH” HENDERSON - While he finished his career in Bellator Benson was a former UFC Lightweight Champion and defeated some top names such as Nate Diaz, Frankie Edgar, Jim Miller and Cowboy Cerrone.
04. JORGE “GAMEBRED” MASVIDAL - The owner of the Fastest knockout in UFC History and 2 time title challenger Masvidal called it a career upon a UD loss to Gilbert Burns in his home state of Florida.
05. ED HERMAN - After 20 years and competing in on one of the first seasons of The Ultimate Fighter Ed Herman finally decided to retire from the sport after a loss at UFC on ESPN 44 in April.
06. CHAD MENDES - The man who fought everyone including Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, Uriah Faber, Alexander Volkanovski among others hung up the gloves at a BKFC event in April.
07. ALISTAIR OVEREEM “THE REEM” - 24 years in the sport finally came to an end for Overeem after defeating the likes of Brock Lesnar, Fabricio Werdum, Frank Mir and more he announced his retirement on a Morning Show.
08. AMANDA “THE LIONESS” NUNES - The greatest Woman’s fighter of all time retired as a two division champ holding wins over legends like Cyborg, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Holly Holm, Julie Budd and Valentina Shevchenko (2). She retired in the ring to spend more time w/ family after her Unanimous Decision Victory over Irene Aldana.
09. “RUTHLESS” ROBBIE LAWLER - Robbie had a storybook ending as he accepted his place in the Hall of Fame Friday night and then knocked out Niko Price the next day to ride off into the sunset a winner. The Former Welterweight Champion holds wins over Nick Diaz, Carlos Condit, Frank Trigg and in a fight of the year Rory MacDonald.
10. “THE KOREAN ZOMBIE” CHAN SUNG JUNG - The Legendary Korean Zombie finally got his fight w/ Max Holloway and went out in a hail of rights and lefts, falling by KO in the 2nd round before putting the gloves down. The two time title challenger holds wins over Dustin Poirier, and Former champion Frankie Edgar.
Other Notable Retirements in 2023:
Ray Borg
Kevin Lee
Stevie Ray
Marlon Moraes
Zak Cummmings
Rapheal Assuncao
Lina Lansberg
JON JONES RETURNS AND WINS THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
After 38 months away from the sport the GOAT came back to a new division against one of the top contenders and former Interim champ. It Took Jones only 2 minutes to submit Ciryl Gane and become a two division champion at UFC 285. Jones spent much of the 3 years bulking up his body and adapting his size and skill to a new weight. It didn’t take him long and we are now looking towards 2024 for the ultimate showdown between him and the consensus greatest heavyweight of all time Stipe Miocic. The two had a date in Madison Square Garden before Jones had to pull out of the fight w/ a shoulder injury.
TWO SEAN’S REACH THE PINNACLE OF THE SPORT
In a year of upsets two of the biggest ones came from Sean Strickland at middleweight and Sean O’ Malley at Bantamweight. In September Sean Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya in what many call one of the biggest Upsets in the sports history to become the UFC Middleweight Champion. He’ll kick off the new year headlining the first Pay Per View in January against Dricus Du Plessis.
One of the Industries biggest stars Sean O Malley added a Bantamweight Champion to his resume after he Knocked out Aljimain Sterling in the Second round of thier title fight. Sean will rematch the only man to defeat him Chito Vera in March at UFC 299.