UFC Veteran Roger Gracie Retires

One fight UFC veteran and current One Championships Light Heavywei-ght Champion Roger Gracie has announced his retirement from MMA, thus he ends his career with an 8-2-0 record.

Gracie says the main reason he is retiring is due to the fact that the motivation to fight is no longer there.

“I decided to stop because I didn’t think MMA was motivating me enough to keep dedicating myself 100 percent to an athlete’s life,” Gracie told MMA Fighting. “I enjoyed it, it was a huge pleasure to do these 10 MMA fights, but I have no other ambitions. I just turned 36. I never wanted to compete longer than 38, and there’s not much else left to conquer in MMA, something that would change my career. I just ended my career at a high level. I would have more to lose than to gain if I kept fighting MMA. If I had the same passion in MMA like I had in jiu-jitsu I would continue, but the only motivation that would keep me in MMA was money, and I’m against doing something focusing only on money. I don’t think I’d even give my 100 percent in this case, so I decided to retire and focus on other things in my life."

The now retired Gracie last fought at One Championships 42 in May of 2016, defeating Michal Pasternak by first round submission.

Of the ten bouts that Gracie competed in during his pro MMA career, it was his title clinching win at One Championships 42 that meant the most.

“The most special fight for me was then I won the belt,” Gracie said. “It was a great fight, an excellent fight, and I won a belt. That’s something extra, more than just winning a fight. You’re the champion of that division, so it was a cool feeling."

During his ten fight MMA career, the retired fighter earned notable wins over Ron Waterman, Kevin Randleman, Trevor Prangley, Keith Jardine, Anthony Smith and James McSweeney.