Former UFC featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie has “left the building” and retired from mixed martial arts, she announced Thursday.

The 40-year-old veteran, who returned to the cage in April of 2024 after recently giving birth to a son, revealed she has decided to walk away from the sport without a farewell bout. The Dutch striker was offered a fight with Jacqueline Cavalcanti on Jan. 11, but said, “I promised myself I would retire from fighting December 31st, 2024.”

“This is not how I imagined it, envisioned it and dreamed about it. Absolutely not,” de Randamie said on a video posted on social media. “But sometimes in life, you got to roll with the punches, like they say, right? The last couple of weeks I’ve been in close contact with the UFC, since I’ve been cleared by the doctor, and I literally begged them for a fight this year. I begged them, give me one more fight this year. But unfortunately, the UFC told me they had no more spots left on the cards. Every card was fully booked for this year, which in a way of course disappointed me because, like I said, I’ve not envisioned it this way. This is not the way I wanted to do it, and it hurts, but it is what it is. So that’s why I’m shooting you this message. After 25 years, I’m gonna lay my gloves down. This is it. No more fighting.”

De Randamie leaves MMA with a record of 10-5 with seven of those wins under the UFC banner, including a featherweight title win over Holly Holm and victories against future MMA champions in Julianna Peña, Raquel Pennington and Larissa Pacheco. “The Iron Lady” lost a decision to Norma Dumont in her final UFC fight.

“I wish I had one more fight. One more fight. I wanted to make that work so bad one more time, but like I said, it’s not going to happen,” de Randamie said. “So I decided it’s time to lay my gloves down. I’m retiring from fighting. It’s been 25 years of an amazing rollercoaster with the highs of the highs and the lows of the lows. Things I couldn’t imagine having. I am blessed that I was able to do what I did. And I’ll still continue to train and be a part of some people’s amazing journey, but actively I’m retiring from MMA today.

“I want to thank you all. Also to the UFC, thank you all. It’s been an amazing ride. And don’t forget, I always say, die with memories, not dreams. The Iron Lady has finally left the building.”

Check de Randamie’s full retirement speech below.

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Former PFL champion and upcoming finalist Brendan Loughnane has been around the UK MMA scene for a long time. The veteran has long been considered one of the most talented fighters in the region and he finally got his breakthrough when he signed with the PFL after fighting all over the world before that.

During a recent episode of Uncaged by talkSPORT, Loughnane used his knowledge of the wide range of competitors to pick out a fighter that is set to return to the Octagon this weekend as his most underrated fighter from the UK. Wales’ Jack Shore is back in action on Saturday night when he heads to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

“The Tank” will make his third appearance as a featherweight by taking on Youssef Zalal in a fight that has gone totally under the radar for most fight fans. Shore is looking to bounce back from a controversial loss last time out at UFC 301 where his fight with Joanderson Brito was stopped due to a cut on his shin.

The 29-year old was 16-0 before being stopped by Ricky Simón in his final fight at 135-pounds and was attracting some hype off of his five fight win streak. Though Loughnane is reserving judgement on whether he can replicate that same level of success in the featherweight division, he believes Shore has all the skills he needs to compete at the highest level.

“I think he’s the most underrated UK fighter right now, I really do, Jack Shore. I think he’s had a bit of bad luck but I think when he puts it together mate, like I don’t know about this move to featherweight…let’s just see, let’s just make an assumption after this fight but I really rate Jack and his team and I think he flies under the radar.”

Continue Reading Former PFL Champion Labels UFC Featherweight The Most Underrated Fighter In The UK at MMA News.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch believes his fighter is a tough matchup for Ilia Topuria.

This past Saturday, Topuria solidified his reign atop the featherweight division, knocking out Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308. Next up for Topuria appears to be a rematch with former champion Alexander Volkanovski, with Diego Lopes also waiting in the wings. But while those matchup seem destined to take place, Welch believes Topuria’s biggest challenge could come from his bantamweight charge.

“I do think stylistically there is Sean could give Ilia problems,” Welch told Submission Radio. “He really could. But Ilia topuria is a very, very scary fight… You make one mistake with Ilia Topuria and you’re going to be lights out, looking up at the ceiling or whatever. That’s a scary, scary fight, but I do believe that Sean, with his range and with his speed and with his overall skill set, he could give Ilia problems. I do believe that.”

This is not the first time O’Malley’s camp has thrown out a possible matchup with Topuria. After successfully defending his bantamweight title against Chito Vera, “Suga” teased a possible champ vs. champ matchup, but was ultimately made to fight Merab Dvalishvili instead. Dvalishvili won a dominant decision to take the title and, at least for now, take a matchup with Topuria off the table.

One matchup that may be on the table for O’Malley is a rematch with Dvalishvili. Though UFC CEO Dana White has said Umar Nurmagomedov should be first up for Dvalishvili, both O’Malley and his rival have campaigned for the rematch. And if somehow the stars align and give O’Malley another crack at Dvalishvili, Welch is confident things will go differently this time, and put the Topuria matchup back on the table.

“A healthy Sean, I do believe we go out there and end up KOing Merab in between some sort of scramble or something,” Welch said. “On the in-betweens, I think Sean will be able to catch his chin and put him down.

TOP STORIES

Relatable. Ben Askren sees similarities between how Dana White treats Francis Ngannou and himself.

Next. Dricus du Plessis wants Khamzat Chimaev for his next middleweight title defense.

MVP. Michael “Venom” Page wants Shara Bullet fight at middleweight next.

BMF. Kamaru Usman believes he had a major hand in the BMF title.

Rankings. Khamzat Chimaev made big moves up the latest middleweight rankings.

VIDEO STEW

MMA Fighting Global Rankings Show.

Michael Page interview.

UFC Edmonton Media Day.

Dricus du Plessis on TMZ Sports.

FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR

No Bets Barred.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Justin Gaethje gets dropped by a body shot during training.

Testing the waters.

Gotta get that studying in.

Jockeying for position.

Chris Curtis is enjoying Thailand.

Abdulrashid Sadulaev is one bad man.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ailin Perez (11-2) vs. Karol Rosa (18-6); UFC 311, Jan. 18.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m sure Topuria is losing sleep over Sean O’Malley moving up. I mean, what would he do? Sure, he could take Sean down easily and submit him, but he could also knock Sean into the next dimension. The plethora of choices for how to win would simply be too much for Topuria, breaking his brain and leading to a TKO (short circuit) victory for O’Malley.

EXIT POLL

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Struggles
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Shara Magomedov isn’t likely scoring the Israel Adesanya match up he wanted, but the unranked Middleweight striker is definitely generating waves. That’s what happens when you live up to the hype on a high-profile event like UFC 308 and win via something ridiculous like a double spinning backfist! People take notice, and Magomedov will likely have his pick of potential opponents for what should be a quick return to action.

Michael “Venom” Page probably isn’t anyone’s first guess as to his next opponent, but why not? In a recent interview with MMAFighting, Page revealed he’s already on weight and would love a chance to fight “The Pirate.”

“Magomedov — he just fought, did the double spinning back [fist] knockout and then he called out my boy Izzy,” Page said. “Mate, I’m at that weight right now. You don’t even have to wait too long. That one there, I’ll just take straight away just for the fun of it.”

He continued, “I’m in shape now, ready to go. So that’s a good fight for me, I think. Just a nice stand up fight for everybody, just to come back to the game. and like I said, leave my boy Izzy alone. He’s trying to get back to the belt, to the throne, so I’ll take his place.”

There’s no arguing this would be an exceptional match up. Magomedov has quickly built up a reputation for himself as an exciting and dangerous kickboxer, but that’s been the “MVP” game for a decade now. He’s just as nasty as Magomedov at distance, and he’s one of the rare athletes who can match Magomedov’s arsenal of flashy strikes.

Spinning backfist vs. flying knee is an easy sell. Unless UFC is intent on booking Magomedov vs. a ranked Middleweight next, it makes great sense. Page didn’t win his last fight versus Ian Garry, but the English veteran did still prove himself a top talent and show he’s a great test for up-and-coming prospects.

Why not Shara?

Insomnia

Khamzat’s double leg goes against serious wrestling fundamentals. He outright rejects the core ideas of eyes up, proud chest, and “where the head goes the body will follow.” Yet, it works, because the guy is an animal!

A beautiful duck under:

There are many viable mindsets in elite MMA, but being relaxed in the cage is such a massive advantage.

This whole thread is worth a read — Ilia Topuria used to be unrecognizably different on the feet.

Here’s hoping a speedy recovery for Michael Bisping.

They don’t call him “Groovy” for nothing …

Therapeutic or unhealthy?

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Athletes usually retire for a reason.

Yeah, it doesn’t surprise me that the guy wearing trail runners in a cage fight got instantly erased.

The first overhand here is some real-deal hand speed.

Random Land

Grouse dance!

Midnight Music: Doo Woo, 1961

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Caio Machado found himself on the wrong end of two close decisions in the UFC, and now feels he desperately needs a victory to stay on the company roster.

The Brazilian talent built his MMA career competing in Canadian soil until he beat Kevin Szaflarski at Dana White’s Contender Series to enter the UFC, and disagrees with the judges that had him losing decisions to Mick Parkin and Don’Tale Mayes inside the octagon.

Machado decided to cut down to 205 pounds for the first time following the setbacks, and expects to perform better — and have more punching power — to ultimately save his career when he faces Brendson Ribeiro at Saturday’s UFC Edmonton.

“I”m in a super complicated situation because of those two losses, and it’s a bit more frustrating because I disagree with both of them,” Machado said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “Decisions are complicated in MMA. But the focus now is to win, win or win. This is the fight of my life, my career is on the line. I cut weight, I’m feeling better, and I’m ready for this challenge.”

Machado moved to Canada almost a decade ago to pursue a career unrelated to fighting, and loved it so much he kept postponing his return home. Canada eventually became home for the 6’4” man, who got married and became a father. Now a Canadian citizen, Machado decided to move back to Brazil to find new training and be by his father, who was fighting cancer — and beat it.

“I’m thrilled to be fighting in Canada,” Machado said. “Even though it’s a fight between two Brazilians, I’ll be representing both Brazil and Canada. My last fights were at the APEX, so I’m anxious to fight in front of a crowd again, especially being the home guy. It’s going to be awesome. I’m super excited to go there and perform in front of my crowd. I had my entire MMA career in Canada until I got to the UFC, so it’s like home to me.”

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