Tag: Felice Herrig

2024 MMA retirement tracker: A list of those who hung up the gloves

Here’s a list of every notable retirement announced by fighters from the UFC, PFL, Bellator, and more in 2024.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

MMA is a constantly evolving sport with a revolving door of athletes entering and exiting. Currently, fighters from the era who helped make the sport so popular are beginning to trickle away from competition and hang up their gloves in order to move on to the next chapter in life.

If there’s one thing that’s well known about combat sports retirements, though, it’s that they often don’t last long. The urge to compete, and perhaps more importantly get a payday, will continue to drive fighters back even well beyond their expiration dates.

2024 has already seen a number of notable fighters announcing they are done with the sport, and we have a list of those who have opted to walk away this year (the list will update as new retirements are announced).

UFC veterans in MMA and boxing action July 21-22

Check out which veterans of the UFC are in combat sports action across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC heads across the pond for UFC Fight Night 224 in London.

The event at the O2 Arena features a heavyweight tilt between [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] and [autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag].

Elsewhere, many other combat sports events are taking place that feature a number of familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

Check out which veterans of the global MMA leader are competing in MMA and boxing this week from July 21-22.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

Farewell, fighters: A list of former UFC champs and more MMA notables who retired in 2022

The MMA world said goodbye to more than 35 notable fighters in 2022, from former UFC champions to future UFC Hall of Famers and more.

MMA is a constantly evolving sport with a revolving door of athletes entering and exiting. Currently fighters from the era that helped make the sport so popular are beginning to trickle away from competition and hang up their gloves to move on to the next chapters in their lives.

If there’s one thing that’s well known about combat sports retirements, though, it’s that they often don’t last long. The urge to compete and, perhaps more importantly, get a payday will continue to drive fighters back, even well beyond their expiration dates.

In 2022, there was an uptick in notable fighters announcing they are retired, and we have a list of those who opted to walk away last year.

Ex-UFC fighter Felice Herrig signs with BKFC weeks after MMA retirement

Weeks after her final UFC bout, Felice Herrig has decided to pivot to a different combat sport and sign with BKFC.

[autotag]Felice Herrig[/autotag] might be done with MMA, but she is sticking around in the world of combat sports.

BKFC recently signed Herrig to a multifight deal, weeks after her final UFC bout and retirement from MMA, a promotion official confirmed Tuesday to MMA Junkie after an initial report by MMA Fighting. The promotion later announced the signing via press release.

“BKFC is very excited to announce this major signing today,” stated BKFC president David Feldman. “Felice was one of UFC’s most popular fighters during her eight years with the company and now sees an opportunity to succeed in bare-knuckle fighting. We have a wealth of talented and tough female fighters and look forward to watching her compete in the squared circle.”

A debut opponent or date has not yet been announced.

Herrig, 37, competed 24 times as a professional mixed martial artist from the time of her debut in 2009. She became a staple during the rise of women’s MMA with stops in Bellator and Invicta prior to a stint on “The Ultimate Fighter,” which ultimately led to 10 fights under the UFC banner.

She most recently competed on June 4 when she was submitted by Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC Fight Night 207. Following the fight, she left her gloves in the center of the cage. Shortly after, tributes from many of her peers flowed onto social media.

During her promotional tenure, Herrig went 5-5 with victories over Lisa Ellisa, Kailin Curran, Alexa Grasso, Justine Kish, and Cortney Casey.

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Former UFC strawweight Felice Herrig’s female fighting peers react to MMA retirement

Check out how female fighters reacted to Felice Herrig’s retirement from MMA at UFC Fight Night 207.

Now-former UFC strawweight [autotag]Felice Herrig[/autotag] did not retire on a win, but she certainly earned the respect of her fellow fighters in the process.

The seasoned veteran hung up the gloves on Saturday night following her submission loss to Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC Fight Night 207 in Las Vegas. The decision to leave MMA put an end to a noteworthy run that spanned from 2009 to 2022.

Herrig (14-10 MMA, 5-5 UFC) retires with 24 professional fights under her belt. She’s mainly known for her long run in the UFC, but she also competed in other major organizations such as Bellator and Invicta FC.

Throughout her career, Herrig defeated notable opposition such as Alexa Grasso, Cortney Casey, Kailin Curran and others. She also earned one $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and was in a co-main event of a UFC Fight Night card.

Several female fighters took to social media to pay tribute to Herrig’s career. Below you can see the reactions.

Former UFC contender Felice Herrig retires from MMA: ‘It’s time to close this chapter of my life’

UFC strawweight Felice Herrig decides to hang up the gloves after her fourth-straight loss.

[autotag]Felice Herrig[/autotag]’s MMA career has come to an end.

The former UFC contender has decided to hang up the gloves following her submission loss at Saturday’s UFCFight Night 207. Herrig, who returned to the octagon after almost a two-year layoff due to injury, was submitted by Karolina Kowalkiewicz in the second round of their strawweight contest.

Immediately after the bout, Herrig (14-10 MMA, 5-5 UFC) left her gloves in the middle of the octagon and announced her retirement from the sport.

“It’s been an honor being in the UFC for eight years, and fighting for 20,” Herrig told Paul Felder in her in-cage, post-fight interview. “The biggest thing for me is I had two ACL surgeries and I really wanted to not go out like that. I really wanted to prove to myself that I can overcome two knee surgeries and come back and still fight at the highest level.

“I felt better than ever in training, my mind felt great and I had so much positive energy around me and great coaches. But I knew if I wasn’t feeling it in the cage, it was going to be my last fight. Not in a bad way, I just feel like there’s something else for me and it’s time to close this chapter of my life. Which is really sad, because I’ve committed the last 20 years to it. But it’s just time to move on to something else.”

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Herrig says she’s done with MMA, but she’s not closing the door on all combat sports. Herrig, who went 23-5 as a professional kickboxer prior to starting MMA, is open to trying her hand at boxing is the opportunity comes around.

But as far as her MMA career, Herrig has mixed feelings. Not only did she lose the love for fighting in the cage, but she also feels like she could’ve achieved more than she did.

“I’m proud and I’m not proud,” Herrig said at the UFC Fight Night 207 post-fight press conference in regards to her career. “I feel like my anxiety for so long got, like my anxiety about the scale. I had a lot of eating disorders which helped me not perform so well. I had a lot of anxiety about the sport and the media. I was like I can’t way this in my interviews because they’ll take it like this. I feel like I could’ve done more.

“And I know I did a lot, but I think that’s what’s so hard. I’m leaving the sport like a physically capable human being. I’m not like a lot of people like, ‘Oh it’s time to hang up the gloves because this sloppy girl, her body has gone to sh*t. Everything has gone to sh*t.’ I physically feel great. I don’t know if the sport has worn on me. … If you’re not doing what you love anymore, then there’s no point of me staying.”

Herrig retires with 25 professional fights under her belt. She’s mainly known for her lengthy run in the UFC, but she also competed in other major organizations such as Bellator and Invicta FC.

Throughout her career, Herrig defeated notable opposition such as Alexa Grasso, Cortney Casey, Kailin Curran and others. She also earned one $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and was in a co-main event of a UFC Fight night card.

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UFC Fight Night 207 video: Karolina Kowalkiewicz taps Felice Herrig to snap five-fight losing streak

Watch Karolina Kowalkiewicz submit Felice Herrig to bounce back from a five-fight losing streak at UFC Fight Night 207.

With her back against the wall, [autotag]Karolina Kowalkiewicz[/autotag] delivered.

The former UFC strawweight title challenger entered Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 207 in her worst career slump. Kowalkiewicz (13-7 MMA, 6-7 UFC) looked to snap a five-fight losing streak in her rematch against fellow veteran [autotag]Felice Herrig[/autotag] in the preliminary portion of the event.

Kowalkiewicz was able to pick up a win, submitting Herrig (14-10 MMA, 5-5 UFC) with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their contest.

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The Polish fighter hadn’t tasted victory since defeating Herrig in their first outing back at UFC 223 in April 2018. Kowalkiewicz’s losing streak came against top contenders such as Jessica Andrade, Michelle Waterson, Alexa Grasso, Yan Xiaonan and Jessica Penne.

Meanwhile, Herrig, who made a return to the octagon after recovering from a knee injury, announced her retirement from the sport shortly after the bout.

Below you can watch Kowalkiewicz’s submission win:

Up-to-the-minute results of UFC Fight Night 207 include:

Felice Herrig before UFC Fight Night 207: If I lose, ‘it’s the universe saying that it’s time to close this chapter’

It’s been almost two years without fighting for Felice Herrig, who feels like she has “nothing left to prove in this game.”

[autotag]Felice Herrig[/autotag] is back, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s going to stick around for long.

The strawweight veteran returns to MMA competition Saturday at UFC Fight Night 207 in Las Vegas, where she takes on former UFC title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz in a rematch. The bout marks Herrig’s first fight since August 2020 as the 37-year-old has been out of action because of a botched knee surgery that required a second procedure.

Now healthy, Herrig (14-9 MMA, 5-4 UFC) is excited to make a comeback, and she’s trying to ignore any pressure that may deter her performance.

“It’s on the back burner. It’s not really a thought in my mind,” Herrig told Yahoo! Sports regarding her three-fight losing skid. “I feel like – so fighting desperate is not good. I feel like I’m happy now, which is great. I feel like I’m more confident. I’m more positive. I feel like my training is better. I feel like I’m healthier. I’m stronger than ever.

“And I’ve honestly, I’ve ticked all the boxes of every single thing that I need to do to win this fight. And if I didn’t win the fight, I feel like it’s the universe saying that it’s time to close this chapter in your life.”

Herrig is at peace with her preparation and is confident she can get the job done to avenge her 2018 split decision loss to Kowalkiewicz (12-7 MMA, 5-7 UFC). She wants to get back in the cage because it’s what she desires, but she no longer feels a need to compete.

“I really feel that I have done everything to win,” Herrig explained. “And if I don’t win, then something – there’s something else for me. Because I’ve been fighting for 20 years. So for me, I have nothing left to prove in this game.

“You know, if I go out like that, it’s like it’s whatever. But I don’t have that desperation anymore like I have to win. No, if I get cut from the UFC, I get cut from the UFC.

“I’m also a great boxer. You know, I can go, like, I could still fight if I wanted to. You know, other promotions would be willing to take me on if that’s what I chose to do. But I feel like everything comes down to my performance. If I perform the way I have been performing and training, I will win this fight.”

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Felice Herrig vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz 2 official for UFC Fight Night 207

Four years after their first meeting, two staples of the women’s strawweight division will square off again.

For weeks, [autotag]Felice Herrig[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Karolina Kowalkiewicz[/autotag] was rumored – and now it’s official.

The matchup will take place June 4 at UFC Fight Night 207, the promotion confirmed Friday, weeks after it appeared in leaked footage of the promotion’s “war room” matchmaking board. The event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on ESPN+.

The bout is a rematch of their April 2018 meeting at UFC 223, which Kowalkiewicz won by split decision.

Herrig (14-9 MMA, 5-4 UFC) has not competed since August 2020 and has competed only once since October 2018. She is on a three-fight skid, with her most recent losses coming to Virna Jandiroba, Michelle Waterson, and Kowalkiewicz – all by decision.

Kowalkiewicz (12-7 MMA, 5-7 UFC) is a former UFC title challenger who is in the midst of a five-fight losing skid. She most recently competed in August 2021 when she was submitted by Jessica Penne. For this fight, Kowalkiewicz has moved her pre-fight preparation to American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 207 lineup includes:

  • Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Movsar Evloev vs. Dan Ige
  • Lucas Almeida vs. Mike Trizano
  • Poliana Botelho vs. Karine Silva
  • Alonzo Menifield vs. Askar Mozharov
  • Felice Herrig vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
  • Alex da Silva vs. Joe Solecki
  • Damon Jackson vs. TBA
  • Zarrukh Adashev vs. Ode Osbourne
  • Benoit Saint-Denis vs. Niklas Stolze
  • Tony Gravely vs. Johnny Munoz
  • Jeff Molina vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Andreas Michailidis
  • JJ Aldrich vs. Erin Blanchfield

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What happened to the cast of ‘The Ultimate Fighter 20’?

Seven-and-a-half years and 10 seasons later, Rose Namajunas and Carla Esparza are about to rematch for gold at UFC 274.

A lot can change in seven-and-a-half-years. A lot has changed in seven-and-a-half years. But still, some things stay the same.

[autotag]Rose Namajunas[/autotag] and [autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] will meet in a rematch for the strawweight championship this Saturday at UFC 274. Their first title fight was the culmination of “The Ultimate Fighter 20” reality series that featured 16 women vying for the inaugural UFC strawweight title. And on Dec. 12, 2014, it was Esparza who submitted Namajunas in the third round to claim gold at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale in Las Vegas.

Now, in the rematch, it’ll be Namajunas putting her 115-pound title on the line against Esparza, who marvels at the fact that the two of them get to do this all over again.

“To be fighting the same person for the title, it’s wild,” Esparza said. “Going back to our ‘Ultimate Fighter’ season, a lot of the people from the show – some aren’t even fighting anymore. Some have retired; some are no longer with the UFC. So, it’s crazy that not only are we both still here, we’re fighting for the title. It just brings back a lot of memories from the first time.”

This begs the question: Whatever happened to the ladies featured on “TUF 20”? Below is a quick look at each cast member.