A current UFC fighter has decided that he wants to leave MMA and the Octagon behind.
The Octagon has been home to several Irish stars over the years.
Conor McGregor may still be planning to compete in bare knuckle boxing, but it looks like ‘The Notorious’ is set on making his UFC return first.
Another notable name, Ian Machado Garry, is within touching distance of his first UFC title shot as one of the top contenders in the welterweight division.
Unfortunately, one of their fellow countrymen now looks to be on his way out following a recent social media statement.
- LATEST NEWS: Tom Aspinall named the UFC’s best-ever heavyweight as Stipe Miocic and Cain Velasquez get snubbed
Kiefer Crosbie announces that he’s requesting his release from the UFC to retire from MMA
Kiefer Crosbie debuted in the UFC on the same night that Sean Strickland shocked Israel Adesanya to win the middleweight title.
‘BDK’ has competed three times inside the Octagon, but his performances haven’t gone to plan for the Irish competitor.
Crosbie suffered his third consecutive first-round loss in August at UFC Shanghai where he faced Taiyilake Nueraji.
Following his stoppage loss, Crosbie criticized referee Marc Goddard, stating that he did not feel like he got enough time to recover after he was hit by an illegal knee.
In a post on Instagram, the 35-year-old fighter requested his release from the UFC, stating that he plans on leaving MMA behind altogether.
“Post regarding my ‘retirement’. Nothing but love and respect for the UFC and I appreciate them giving me the opportunity, it’s literally been a dream come true and something I’ve envisioned since I’ve been a kid! But I would respectfully like to ask for a release.
“Just being real and think it’s the right call to move on from MMA and go down other roads while I’m still in my prime. Thanks to everyone for the support.”
- LATEST NEWS: Dominick Reyes was told by doctors ‘If you wake up today, then good on you’ during health battle
Kiefer Crosbie suggests that he’ll continue to compete, just not in MMA
In the video attached to his Instagram post, it appears that Kiefer Crosbie is suggesting that he will continue to compete, just not in MMA.
“There are plenty of other opportunities out there that I would love to explore and plenty of fools I’d still love to humble. We ain’t done, we’re never done. I’ll fight forever.”
Having stated that he still believes he’s in his prime and that MMA is incredibly taxing on his body, boxing could be a potential option for him.
If this is truly the end of his MMA career, Crosbie leaves behind a pro record of 10-6, having competed three times for the UFC and seven times for Bellator.