A lightweight contender has announced that he is hanging up the gloves for good at just 31-years-old
It cannot be underestimated how big of an achievement it is to get to the UFC and stay there.
Stepping inside the Octagon to compete at the highest level is the ultimate goal for most competitors, let alone becoming a champion, that decide to turn professional but so few of them are able to make their dreams a reality.
For how difficult it is to even get on the UFC’s radar, this is only where the hard work begins now that you’re going up against top opposition on a regular basis.
In a recent social media post, a member of the roster who competed nine times under the UFC banner has announced that he is walking away from the sport after dedicating himself to this pursuit throughout the past decade.
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Joe Solecki announces his retirement from MMA via social media following his tough run in the UFC
Joe Solecki wrote on Instagram that after making his pro debut in 2016, he has decided to retire, leaving the pro game with an overall record of 13-6.
With a run of impressive performances on the regional scene, Solecki earned his opportunity to fight for a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019 where he submitted James Wallace in the first round.
His submission skills were once again on show in his second UFC outing where he built on a debut win over Matt Wiman by choking out Austin Hubbard in 2020.
A career best win over UFC legend Jim Miller followed that but his winning streak was brought to an end by Jared Gordon in October of 2021 where he came out on the wrong side of a split decision.
After bouncing back with consecutive wins over Alex da Silva and Carl Deaton III, Solecki suffered three consecutive losses to Drakkar Klose, Grant Dawson and Nurullo Aliev.
It now seems like after competing in the UFC and going 5-4 in the lightweight division, his goals and ambitions have changed since 2016 which led him to an early retirement at just 31-years-old.
“Today, after chasing this dream for 10 years, I am officially retiring from the sport of MMA. I started this endeavor as a kid with a dream of making it to the UFC. It then grew into so many more goals and dreams, some of which I achieved and others where I fell short. In a way, despite falling short at times (especially this past year), I ‘lived my movie’. Competing at the highest level in the UFC and grinding it out on the regional circuit to make it to the top have taught me more life lessons and things about myself, hard work, and determination than I ever could’ve imagined.
“This avenue in life has helped me grow in so many ways as a man, athlete, husband, father, and most of all has helped me grow and develop deeper in my faith and relationship with God. I have made lifelong relationships that I’ll cherish forever, have experienced the amazing feeling of victory, the adversity of defeat and the joy of overcoming that adversity. I have been able to go places and experience things I never even dreamed of because of this sport, all memories that I’ll also cherish.”
Solecki went on to say that he will still be involved in the sport as a coach at Gym-O in North Carolina along with continuing to compete in submission grappling.
He also thanks his wife, kids, coaches, teammates and supporters for being a part of the journey with him as he looks back with fond memories.
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Joe Solecki will always have his career highlights to look back on
Joe Solecki may have retired after nine fights in the UFC but as his Instagram post shows, he will always have his accomplishments to look back on.
Not only did he compete at the highest level before deciding to leave on his own terms, the submission artist recorded two finishes inside the Octagon with his win over Deaton III earning him a performance of the night bonus at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
It’s clear to see from the replies underneath Solecki’s post that he will be missed in the UFC but as he said himself, he can now turn his attention to helping the next generation of competitors who are trying to work their way to the top.