After nearly 16 years in the UFC, veteran fighter Matt Brown shocked the world with a sudden announcement of his retirement from combat sports. The decision came to him during his daughter’s soccer game, prompting him to make a social media post declaring the end of his fighting career.
In an interview on The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown revealed the emotional journey behind his retirement, admitting that he had been contemplating the end of his career for quite some time. Despite struggling with the idea of breaking off his identity tied to fighting, Brown finally mustered the courage to make the announcement.
The 43-year-old fighter recalled the moment he received a fight offer from the UFC a few months back, realizing that the passion and drive he once felt for the sport were no longer there. This realization, coupled with a desire to be more present for his children and pursue other business ventures, ultimately led Brown to hang up his gloves for good.
While acknowledging the temptation to return to the octagon, Brown emphasized the difficulty of letting go of the adrenaline and high that fighting provided. He expressed both relief and sadness at the prospect of moving on from his fighting career, acknowledging that the transition would not be easy.
As he looks towards the future, Brown is excited to explore other aspects of his life beyond fighting, confident that there is more to him than just being a fighter. Despite the challenges ahead, Brown remains determined to embrace this new season of life and all the opportunities it may bring.