MMA in the 21st century has surpassed its popularity in the world of ‘sweat and blood,’ leaving boxing behind. It attracts the younger generation with its celebrity status and potential for substantial earnings. However, everything comes at a cost, and MMA is no exception. The toll on the body may heal over time, but it can create a void in the mind that fighters may not recover from. A recent example is Conor McGregor, who has healed from his “career-ending” injury yet is still seeking his way back to the octagon.

Now, there is a new update from MMA reporter Alex Behunin, who recently provided a sad announcement regarding UFC veteran fighter Alexander Munoz, who has abruptly quit. Due to his struggles with injuries, Munoz decided to step away from the UFC. Behunin wrote on his X account, “UFC fighter Alexander Munoz has decided to step away from the UFC after numerous injuries and asked Sean Shelby to give someone else a chance.”

Despite having a brief career in the UFC, lightweight contender Alex Munoz had a remarkable run in MMA. In his first six fights, Munoz remained undefeated, with most of his victories coming by unanimous decision. This impressive performance was highlighted in his debut fight in the UFC. However, in his subsequent two fights, Munoz fell short. Still this lightweight contender bounced back in his most recent fight against Carl Deaton. Unfortunately, the injuries he sustained in that bout have now led him to a permanent hiatus from the octagon, seemingly steering him toward retirement.

In recent times, the second major retirement news due to injuries has come from the UFC. Back in the ’90s, UFC Hall of Famer Bas Rutten hung up his gloves after battling a series of injuries. A few years ago, he reflected on his journey in the UFC. Let’s see what he had to say about it.

Bas Rutten Opens Up About His Life’s Biggest Regrets

Bas Rutten is not just a name in MMA but a legacy unmatched in the combat sports world. This sentiment was recently echoed by Conor McGregor when a fan asked him to name his top five favorite MMA fighters. McGregor announced his list of top five MMA GOATs, exclaiming, “Rickson Gracie, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock, Chuck Liddell… how many is that? Three, four? Four? The OGs… Bas Rutten.”

Rutten, during his MMA career, held an impressive 20-fight winning streak, which is remarkable but came at a cost. In an interview with GiveMeSport.com, Rutten reflected on his injuries, admitting, “That was the Lord telling me it was time to stop, you know? He gave me a bunch of injuries that I hated at the time, and now I understand why. It was because he didn’t want to wreck my career. You know, I came off a 22-fight unbeaten streak, which was a great way to stop, because if I did not have the injuries, I would have been a knucklehead.”

What are your thoughts on young fighters permanently retiring due to injuries sustained during fights? Do you think fighters deserve more consideration from Dana White and the UFC regarding their safety and well-being? Drop your opinion below.