McDonald kicking Peter Ligier (photo via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

Altough Michael McDonald is only 27 year’s old, and is coming off a stoppage win over former Bellator bantamweight champ, Eduardo Dantas, “Mayday’s” announced he’s hanging up the gloves.

McDonald, who has had to battle through several hand injuries, recently reported his retirement to ESPN.

“This last fight, everything was perfect,” McDonald said. “This feels good. Most people, when they quit, it’s because they can’t hang. They’ve been beaten out of the sport and their family is sitting them down and asking them to please stop. For me, it’s not a matter of skill or being able to perform, but I’m at a point where the cost is greater than the reward…”

“I’m exhausted. I’m exhausted of these hand injuries. I’m exhausted of breaking my body in half. I prayed to God and asked if he would tie up my Bellator contract, leave me in good standing with the company, and give me a hole-in-one. I have no question now that God’s plan for the rest of my life is for me to move on.”

The California fighter, who plans to work full time now as a woodworker, retires with an impressive record of 19-4.