One of the UFC’s most exciting bantamweights has decided to hang up his gloves after 40 professional fights.
Brian Kelleher was never one of the top contenders at 135lb, but earned no less than five performance bonuses in his 17 fights under the sport’s top banner. ‘Boom’ began to rise in popularity during the lockdown era of the UFC, where he competed regularly in empty arenas.
It was at one of the first fight nights back after the coronavirus pandemic that he famously ended Hunter Azure’s undefeated streak with a vicious KO. Ever since, he has struggled for consistency, and after four consecutive defeats has decided to call it a day.
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Brian Kelleher announces UFC retirement in brief social media statement
As recently as two weeks ago, Kelleher was still posting videos training on the heavy bag and throwing combinations. He hadn’t competed since a fourth straight stoppage defeat to Cody Gibson, with all of those losses coming in the first round.
However, he was still competing at a relatively high level, with his defeats coming against the likes of Umar Nurmagomedov and former champion Cody Garbrandt. As such, it was a surprise to see him confirm his retirement on social media on Wednesday night.
“I don’t know what’s next but it seems fighting has come to an end,” he wrote to his followers in a statement which didn’t come with so much as a photo. “What a journey. Thank you all who have supported me. Love you. BOOM”
Brian Kelleher was a fan favorite in the UFC
Throughout his run in the UFC, Kelleher competed with some of the top names the sport has to offer. He even took scalps over the likes of Azure and former champion Renan Barao during a series of fights that always had a lot to offer.
He only went to the scorecards five times in his 17 bouts under the UFC banner, and picked up a number of performance bonuses for some of his big wins. A former Ring of Combat champion, he also had spells in Bellator and a number of regional promotions.
Back in 2018, he said of his career: “I was down and out. Record of 10-7 just another pro fighter. Got a full-time job was dating a girl who doubted it all. I told myself no more selling myself short. No more losing if I wanna make my dream happen to be in the UFC. I won 7 straight all prospects now look.”