10-Time UFC Competitor Ryan LaFlare Announces Retirement from MMA

Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight Ryan LaFlare is calling it a career.

LaFlare announced his decision via Instagram on Wednesday. The 35-year-old New York native appeared at UFC 229 this past weekend, where he suffered a third-round knockout loss to Tony Martin in a preliminary bout.

“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,” LaFlare wrote. “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 [plus] years as a professional mixed martial artist and 5 [plus] years with the [UFC] it hurts to say this but Saturday [Oct. 6] was most likely the last fight of my professional career.”

LaFlare went 7-3 during his tenure with the Las Vegas-based promotion, earning notable wins over the likes of Santiago Ponzinibbio, Court McGee, Mike Pierce and Alex Garcia. He also headlined UFC Fight Night 62 in March 2015 against Demian Maia, losing a five-round verdict to the Brazilian grappler.

LaFlare began his career with the Ring of Combat promotion, where he won seven straight fights before signing with the UFC. LaFlare ends his pro career with a 14-3 mark, including four wins by KO/TKO and three via submission.

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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

A post shared by Ryan LaFlare (@laflaremma) on Oct 10, 2018 at 10:12am PDT