Five time Bellator MMA tournament participant Brent Weedman has decided to call it a career as his retirement was announced by his management team, Sucker Punch Entertainment.
According to the statement released by Weedman’s management team, Weedman made the decision to retire over the holidays and he wants to focus on being a father.
“We are sad to announce that @BellatorMMA standout @brent_weedman is retiring from MMA,” the statement from Sucker Punch Entertainment said. “Brent called us over the holidays to let us know this was a hard decision for him and he is very grateful for all the opportunities he has had along the way.”
“With the latest addition to his family, Brent wants to simply focus on being a dad, husband and his post fight career. It has been a pleasure working with Brent and watching him climb the ranks in Bellator. We look forward to what the future holds for Brent and his family and wish them all the best! You will always have a home at SP if you decide to come back Brent! Cheers!”
Weedman (22-9-1) started his MMA career in 2005 and made his debut with Bellator in 2010. After winning his first three fights in Bellator, he entered the season four welterweight tournament and made it to the semifinals. He was eliminated from the tournament when he lost to Jay Hieron by unanimous decision. He would re-enter the welterweight tournament in season five, but was defeated by Chris Lozano in the opening round.
Following his defeat to Lozano, he dropped down to the lightweight division and was placed in the season six tournament. After defeating J.J. Ambrose and Thiago Michel, he would lose a decision to Rick Hawn in the final. He would return at the beginning of 2013 in the season eight welterweight tournament and would defeat Marius Zaromskis in the opening round, but an injury forced him to pull out of the tournament.
After recovering from his injury, he was placed into the season nine welterweight tournament in September and earned his ninth career submission victory with a first round armbar win over Justin Baesman. His tournament run would end one month later as once again, he lost a decision to Hawn.
Following the news of Weedman announcing his retirement, Bellator MMA Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney issued a statement to TheMMAReport.com and stated that Weedman will always be a member of the Bellator family.
“Brent is a great fighter and even better human being,” Rebney said in a statement. “I’ve been around athletes for over 20 years and Brent exemplifies what it means to be a true professional. Brent competed for us a record 12 times and will always be a member of the Bellator family. I wish nothing but the best for Brent and his family in the future.”