“2023 Already Ruined” – Fans in Denial As UFC Contender Forced To Retire Due to “Circumstances & Health Problems”

2023 has barely started and the UFC fans are not liking it already. At the very beginning of the new year, the UFC lightweight stalwart, Damir Ismagulov, announced his retirement from the promotion out of nowhere. And this news has taken the fans by shock because that was the least expected from the Kazakh fighter, given he is just 31. The news is too much for the fans to bear, yet that is what’s happening.

Ismagulov held a phenomenal record of 24-2 with 6 bouts in the UFC. ‘Qazaq’ last fought Arman Tsarukyan, who snapped his five-match winning streak and contributed his share to the only two losses the 31-year-old had in his MMA career. The UFC fighter shared a heartfelt note on his Instagram as he announced parting ways with the fight game.

However, throughout his UFC stint, he has incurred some pretty bad injuries, which also resulted in a sabbatical of 18 months. But upon his comeback in Rafael Alves, the Kazakh fighter revealed he was fully healed and ready to go. But given his retirement now, which suggests his health is a major concern, maybe all the piled-up injuries are still lingering around.

This news blew the social media and took the UFC community by shock, given how it all happened out of nowhere. Despite his last loss against Tsarukyan, he was still viewed by many as a promising title contender someday in the future. And now, that has become merely a fantasy.

On the first day of 2023, Damir Ismagulov took to Instagram to announce his retirement with his fans and his loved ones. The 31-year-old went on to explain that he was forced to make this decision due to “circumstances and health problems.” He stated that he was thankful for his ‘interesting’ journey in the UFC and said his final goodbyes to the organization.

Fans are disheartened as Damir Ismagulov bids the UFC adieu

Check out how the UFC faithful fans reacted to the news of Ismagulov‘s retirement:

One fan viewed the Kazakh fighter as a future title contender:

“Damn that really sucks. He really did have the potential to be a future title contender”

Another fan believes the damage from his last two fights could’ve contributed to the cause, too:

“Wow that’s out of no where! although his facial ticks were more prominent in his last two bouts.. wonder if that has anything to do with it?”

A fan had to see his favorite lightweight fighter saying goodbye to MMA:

“Ahhh man he is one of my favs at lightweight I really loved his style.”

Another fan stated an even more disturbing aspect of the news:

“You know what sucks more , going out with a loss . Man was really good”

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This user appeared deeply affected by this announcement:

“Nooo that’s so unfortunate, hopefully he’s ok! You’ll be missed you beautiful Kazakh bastard”

A fan’s dream fight between Damir Ismagulov and Zabit Magomedsharipov now stays a dream, forever:

“This sucks so much! One of the biggest prospect in the lw division… him and zabit might be the biggest ”what if” ever..”

This one fan hates the new year already:

“2023 already ruined man”

Yet another fan expressed his disappointment and wished for the fighter’s well-being:

“Damn that sucks. He’s only 31 too. Hopefully he’ll be alright in the long term. Hate when people have to retire in such fashion, he could really scrap too.”

A user here put forth a statement about how this news will now help Conor McGregor bounce back in the rankings:

“Somehow the UFC will use Damir’s retirement as a way to put McGregor back into the top 15 rankings”

Not the way the UFC community expected to start off the year, but what’s done is done. And there is nothing they could do to reverse this action, despite the fact that they would, if it was possible.

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