3 UFC fighters that should retire!

Curtis Clontz by Contributor Written on June 11, 2009

Slide 1 of 5

CULVER CITY, CA - MAY 30:  UFC fighter Chuck Liddell arrives at the taping for Spike TV's 2nd Annual 'Guys Choice' Awards held at Sony Studios on May 30, 2008 in Culver City, California.  The show airs on June 22, 2008 at 10PM ET/PT on Spike TV.  (Photo b
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

The UFC is in the middle of a youth movement. The guys who built the sport seem to be getting old and slow. Some have developed glass jaws, while others simply can't hang with the young bucks.

Father time is something that affects every athlete in every sport. Jerry Rice, Shaq, and Cal Ripken Jr. all dealt with aging in their careers.

I could have added several more fighters such as Chuck Lidell and B.J. Penn but I left those off this time around.

The sport of mixed martial arts is not an exception. Although Randy Couture has thrived in his old age, others not so much.

In any sport in which damage is constantly taken to the head, the athletes run a risk of trouble later on in life. You don't have to be a doctor to know getting hit in the head is bad.

This list is one comprised of fighters that have not had things go their way lately and should probably hang it up

Randy Couture

LOS ANGELES - APRIL 7:  Wrestler Randy Couture arrives at a special screening of Sony Pictures Classics' 'Redbelt' at the Egyptian Theatre on April 7, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Captain America may not seem like he is almost 50, but anyone 45 and up is knocking on that door. He is only 500 in his last four fights, but the loss to Brock Lesnar hurt more than normal. He is in the middle of a divorce and is THE MAN at his gym.

Randy, it is time to hang it up.

Sean Sherk

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 25:  Sean Sherk celebrates his win in the Lightweight bout at UFC's Ultimate Fight Night at Allstate Arena on October 25, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Prior to 2009, Sherk had only lost to future hall of famers. Those coming at the hands of Matt Hughes, GSP, and B.J. Penn.

Since his steroids controversy he is 1-2. I am not saying, I am just saying that he is no longer relying on his wrestling and conditioning, but is not trying to be more of a boxer than MMA fighter. You were great, you are a beast, but...

Sean, it is time to hang it up.

Matt Hughes

LONDON - JULY 13:  Carlos Newton of Canada battles with Matt Hughes of the USA during the Ultimate Fighting Championship, 'Brawl in the Royal Albert Hall', in the Royal Albert Hall London, England on July 13, 2002. (Photo by John Gichigi/Getty Images)

This could be the most obvious of the 5. Matt Hughes is the best 170 pound fighter in the history of the UFC, but his ship has sailed. He used to be the bigger and stronger fighter but minus a decision win over Matt Serra, (who is a true 155'er) he is 1-3.

It is time to become the full time leader and mentor of the H.I.T Squad. Do not fight Thiago Alves, GSP, or Anderson Silva, and please stop asking for those fights.

Matt, it is time to hang it up!

(0)
...
Share This  
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

6 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

987
reads

6
comments

written on June 11, 2009 Rankings/List

The best newsletter on the web

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address


CBS Sports Official Partner
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.