Oct 3, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Daniel Cormier (red gloves) is interviewed by Joe Rogan after defeating Alexander Gustafsson (not pictured) after their World Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 192 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

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The Best UFC Retirement Fights: When Legends Say Goodbye

Get to know the best UFC Retirement Fights in the UFC over the course of its years ahead of the UFC 318 event!

Retirement in the UFC hits differently than in other sports. Baseball players get a farewell tour with standing ovations at every stadium. But MMA fighters step into that octagon knowing it might be their final dance with violence. Dustin Poirier has said he will retire from MMA after his main event fight against Max Holloway at UFC 318 on Saturday. This emotional farewell in New Orleans represents more than just another fight.It’s a warrior laying down his sword at home.

The UFC has witnessed some truly special retirement bouts over the years. Some fighters go out on top with championship gold around their waist. Others battle through heartbreak and disappointment in their final moments under the bright lights. What makes these fights so compelling isn’t just the action inside the cage. It’s watching someone fans have followed for years take their last walk to that octagon. The fans know it’s the end, the fighter knows it’s the end, and there’s something beautifully bittersweet about that shared understanding. These retirement fights transform into emotional ceremonies where combat sports meets human drama. Here are some of the best retirement fights in the UFC.

Daniel Cormier vs Stipe Miocic 3

Daniel Cormier’s trilogy fight with Stipe Miocic at UFC 252 was supposed to be his fairy tale ending. DC had been talking about retirement for months, and everyone knew this heavyweight title fight would be his last rodeo. The former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion wanted to go out as the undisputed king of the heavyweight division. Unfortunately, MMA doesn’t always care about retirement plans.

Miocic dominated the fight, landing heavy shots that visibly affected the aging champion. Cormier showed heart by surviving multiple knockdowns, but his body betrayed him when it mattered most. The fight ended in a unanimous decision. It wasn’t the ending anyone wanted, but it perfectly captured the brutal reality of this sport. Even legends can’t always choose how their story ends.

Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje

Nobody saw this retirement coming, which made it even more powerful. Khabib Nurmagomedov entered UFC 254 as the undefeated lightweight champion looking to defend his title against interim champion Justin Gaethje. What fans got was a masterclass in grappling and ground control that ended with a perfect triangle choke in the second round. Then came the moment that shocked the MMA world.

Khabib Nurmagomedov defeats Justin Gaethje via submission to retain the lightweight championship 🏆 #UFC254 pic.twitter.com/cPXk7AO2JP
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 24, 2020

Nurmagomedov dropped his gloves in the center of the octagon and broke down in tears. He announced his retirement on the spot, dedicating the victory to his late father who had passed away from COVID complications earlier that year. The emotion was raw and real. Here was an undefeated 29-0 champion at the peak of his powers walking away because family meant more than fighting. ‘The Eagle’ went out exactly how he lived his career: unbeaten and on his own terms.

Chan Sung Jung vs Max Holloway

‘The Korean Zombie’s’ retirement fight against Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night in August 2023 was a beautiful send off for one of the most exciting fighters in featherweight history. Jung had been talking about retirement for months, citing the toll that years of wars had taken on his body and mind. Against Holloway, he showed flashes of the violence that made him a fan favorite, but ‘Father Time’ remained undefeated.

Max Holloway vs Korean Zombiepic.twitter.com/ubtQSY9090
— alice 🦩 (@lilicomentx) December 24, 2023

Holloway controlled most of the fight with his superior boxing and conditioning. What made this special wasn’t the result, it was watching Jung smile through the punishment and embrace Holloway after the final bell. The Korean crowd gave their hero a hero’s farewell, and Chan Sung Jung left his gloves in the center of the octagon with tears in his eyes. The crown was singing along to his theme song as he embraced his wife. Sometimes the perfect retirement isn’t about winning, it’s about going out with dignity and respect.

Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs Zhang Weili 2

Former strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s retirement fight against Zhang Weili was like watching poetry written in violence. These two women had already given fans one of the greatest fights in UFC history at UFC 248, and their rematch lived up to the hype. Both fighters traded combinations and showed the kind of heart that makes champions.

3 years ago, Weili Zhang spinning backfist KO'ed Joanna Jedrzejczyk 🌪️

Joanna retired from MMA that night. She finished with a 16-5 record with a 14 fight win streak at her peak 👑pic.twitter.com/VMFk3RsjJy
— MMA On Point (@OnPointMMA) June 12, 2025

In the second round, Weili landed a spinning backfist that ended the fight. Joanna’s post fight speech was emotional and honest. She talked about wanting to start a family and leave the sport while she could still recognize herself in the mirror. The Polish striker had given everything to mixed martial arts, and it showed in every word she spoke that night.

Robbie Lawler vs Niko Price

Robbie Lawler’s retirement fight against Niko Price at UFC 290 perfectly captured the essence of “Ruthless” Robbie. Even at 41 years old, Lawler brought the same aggressive style that made him a welterweight champion and fan favorite. He knocked Price out the first round.

Robbie Lawler VS Niko Price #UFC290 ¿ya? pic.twitter.com/KEthxB2T3Z
— David🌹MMA (@MMAenCastellano) July 9, 2023

Lawler announced his retirement in the post fight interview. After 20 years of professional fighting and some of the most memorable wars in UFC history, Lawler walked away on his own terms with a victory. It was the kind of retirement that every fighter hopes for but few actually achieve.

As fans prepare to watch Dustin Poirier fight for his livelihood one last time at UFC 318, they are reminded that retirement fights in the UFC carry special weight. They represent the end of journeys that often span decades and define entire careers. Whether these warriors go out with championship gold or on their backs, they all share one thing in common. They gave everything they had to this sport we as fans love. Poirier’s farewell in New Orleans will join this list of memorable retirement bouts this weekend!

(Image Credit: Troy Taormina – Imagn Images)

Daniel Cormier

Justin Gaethje

Khabib Nurmagomedov

Max Holloway

Robbie Lawler

Stipe Miocic

UFC

UFC 318

Zhang Weili

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!