Jon Fitch Explains Decision to Retire, Following Bellator 246 Loss
By FCF Staff
Although Jon Fitch hadn’t lost since 2014, prior to Bellator 246, the fighter announced he’s hanging up the gloves after losing to Neiman Gracie.
Fitch faced Gracie on Saturday night, and was submitted by the welterweight in round two. After the loss, the 42-year-old announced the bout was the last of his impressive career.
While talking to the media afterward, Fitch explained why he’s decided to walk away from fighting at this time (quotes via MMA Junkie).
“I’m having fun, but at the same time, the body doesn’t react the way I want it to anymore, the recovery’s not quite the same,” Fitch said. “I don’t want to go down a dirty road, so I think it’s a great time, 32-8-2-1, pretty good, I’ve got titles I’ve won, Neiman’s a great fighter and a great guy and a total class act, I hope he keeps continuing to improve and becomes the champ, that would be great.”
And when asked about the biggest accomplishments of his career, Fitch relayed this.
“The two biggest moments were the GSP fight and when I got to fight in Brazil, just because of the whole, everything around those fights, the buildup, the title fight, everything was amazing,” said Fitch. “The World Series of Fighting title fight, fighting Jake Shields in Madison Square Garden, that fight was amazing, just a list of hits.”
Fitch made his pro-debut all the way back in 2002, and signed with the UFC in 2005. In 2008, Fitch faced then welterweight champ, Georges St-Pierre at UFC 87, and lost the fight via unanimous decision.
In 2013, the accomplished wrestler moved to World Series of Fighting and he proceeded to win the promotion’s welterweight title in 2016. Fitch would go onto sign with Bellator in 2018 where he went 1-1-1.