When Should an MMA Fighter Retire

[@lookit87]

I appreciate the last words and the overall gesture.

[@CptWarriorX]

I have epilepsy and i have never suffered cuncusions by combat sport. I got into martial arts to protect my head. I have had concusions but they are not combat related. It never affected me in competition but becuase i protect myself well. I quit becuase the risk is too high and you become selfish if you stay in the game with risk. Greed and pride drives to many fighters to there death. I started at 16 in amature up until my retirement at the early age of 21 in mma. I have no regrets. I still train in combat but to survive and protect myself which is vital as a martial artist. But brain damage is no joke.

[@conalltm0329]

Good video, thanks

[@Jono793]

You're totally on the money Stephan. I have nothing but respect for the people who get in the cage, get in the ring, and put it all on the line. Still, the punishment they take is scary. I used to take a Jujutsu class at a general fight gym. An MMA class ran alongside, and some of the guys from that would come across and roll with us once their class finished. This one time, I was rolling with one of their lads, probably a few years younger than me. We ended up in a scramble, and (as can happen) his head and my knee collided. Not a harsh hit. Something you'd take a minute to recover from and go. Not in this case. That was it for the round, and he was sat out for the whole rest if the class. And okay, maybe he was having a bad day, or it hit him awkward. But to see this guy, in his mid twenties, get his bell rings like that was really scary in retrospect!

[@exterMEnator83]

When they feel afraid to fight and Not fearless anymore

[@iliasiosifidis4532]

Synchronized Gladiators. It's a sad story, and u made it even worst while compare it with strippers. But also an eye opener.

[@Jono793]

Fighting, and the sex trade. Two oldest professions in the world!

[@iliasiosifidis4532]

@@Jono793 well a grave digger too ^_^

[@magcitrate]

Glad that I only do Jiu Jitsu. 🤔

[@SwordFighterPKN]

You're very right about the "yes men" and I will add to that the people that live vicariously through them. Not many people will tell someone "you need to stop", those (like me) that will are told to shut up. Stephan you like me have the wisdom of age where those younger don't. I am now pushing people to understand martial arts is for a life time and not 10 year (or less) of MMA since you will live a life much longer than your MMA career.

[@LeonidThe90sKid]

Nobody can tell a fighter when to retire. They have to figure it out for themselves. That's because usually they overcome so much to get there. The struggle and the grind and the naysayers are there from the get go... There are cases where it's a health concern, but again it's completely up to the fighter. And it's also a matter of how a person feels and ages. Couture might have started late in mma but he must 've had a lot of millage from his wrestling days (and he was training at the highest level). Hendo was also of a certain age but still knocking people out. And a lot of people wanted Arlovski to stop after some consecutive losses... then he went on a crazy win streak.

[@LeonidThe90sKid]

i was thinking more about the subject and i noticed something... It's always the wrestlers that have the longest careers and the most physical longevity. And it's the strikers that have more concussions, health issues and shorter careers. All the examples i can think of right now are in support of this theory. What do you think?

[@southerntiger3107]

Great Video!!!!!

[@sjcobra84]

If people want to stop after 1 novice fight whether they win or lose, it's their choice and I respect that decision.

[@VelhaGuardaTricolor]

JUNIOR DOS SANTOS needs to retire. He thinks he is a stud, but he is WAY past his prime.

[@lookit87]

did not age well

[@VelhaGuardaTricolor]

@@lookit87 JDS you mean? Or my comment? Bc if you are talking about my comment, you don't make any sense. JDS hasn't won a real fight in 4 years. The Werdun thing was a gimmick.

[@DeagleBeagle]

Why should have Chuck retired? Easy money even if he loses.

[@thefullmonte1902]

RDA

[@saamnainifard9822]

Anyone have experience with concussions and BJJ? I got my first concussion just under 5 months ago during training. I feel about 90% recovered, but still get the odd symptom on the occasion (usually at the end of the week when my brain is tired from a week's worth of work, etc.). I've been cleared by my doc and physio to go back to training (warmups and drills only - no rolling or situations. I will be cleared to do situations, rolling, and eventually competition only after I am 100% recovered). Wondering how to manage avoiding a second concussion, how to minimize risk of impact to the head, etc. I've thought of buying a custom mouthguard from the dentist and using this protective headgear once I'm back to training with resistance: batstoi.com/the-mercado/ All feedback is welcome.

[@Ridiculizer]

When he starts talking to the wrong camera 😁