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Ryan LaFlare ‘likely’ will retire following UFC 229 loss

By Guilherme Cruz
Ryan LaFlare racked up a 7-3 record in the UFC.
Guilherme Cruz, MMA Fighting

A decade after his professional mixed martial arts debut, UFC veteran Ryan LaFlare decided to hang up his gloves.

The 35-year-old welterweight, who headlined a UFC event once throughout his 10-fight run inside the Octagon, facing two-division title challenger Demian Maia in Brazil, announced his decision to retire from the sport days following a third-round knockout defeat to Tony Martin at UFC 229, which took place Oct. 6 in Las Vegas.

”Saturday night didn’t go my way,” LaFlare wrote. “This is a very unforgiving sport. You either win or lose. You have to be ‘ALL IN’ to be successful. Mentally I wanted to be there but I have been plagued with injuries this camp as well as my whole career and tried to fight through them and keep a positive attitude but as I started making my final weight cut I started breaking down.

”I’ve always told myself the second I’m not there mentally and physically I will be hanging my gloves up. I’m too proud and passionate about this sport to not give it everything I have and my body is really starting to pay the toll. After 10+ years as a professional mixed martial artist and 5+ years with the UFC it hurts to say this but Saturday October 6th was most likely the last fight of my professional career.”

A former Ring of Combat welterweight titleholder, LaFlare leaves the sport with a 14-3 record, being 7-3 under the UFC banner with wins over the likes of Santiago Ponzinibbio, Court McGee and Mike Pierce.

Read LaFlare’s official statement below.

View this post on Instagram

Saturday night didn’t go my way. This is a very unforgiving sport. You either win or lose. You have to be “ALL IN” to be successful. Mentally I wanted to be there but I have been plagued with injuries this camp as well as my whole career and tried to fight through them and keep a positive attitude but as I started making my final weight cut I started breaking down. I’ve always told myself the second I’m not there mentally and physically I will be hanging my gloves up. I’m too proud and passionate about this sport to not give it everything I have and my body is really starting to pay the toll. After 10+ years as a professional mixed martial artist and 5+ years with the @Ufc it hurts to say this but Saturday October 6th was most likely the last fight of my professional career. I want to thank the @ufc for allowing me to do what I love and give me the opportunity to travel around the world and showcase my skills. Thank you to my coaches @keith_trimble @greggdepasquale @henrihooft @kycerm @roblistrength @docmcamp @dr.amato_pt for putting in the extra time for me. This isn’t a very lucrative sport for coaches so I know all of their time wasn’t for financial reasons. Thank you to my manager @aliabdelaziz000 And @dominancemma_ for always looking out for me and having my best interest at mind. Thank you to all my friends, family and fans who have supported me over the years. You truly are my biggest motivation. Thank you to my parents George and @trishlaflare For molding me into the man I have become. Most importantly thank you to my wife @daniellelaflare and my children, they have to deal with all of the behind the scenes BS that no one gets to see and are always supportive no matter the outcome. I’ve made lifelong friends over the years and nothing can change that. You guys will be a part of me for the rest of my life. #teamlaflare #ryanlaflare

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