Following his unanimous decision defeat against Katsunori Kikuno at UFC Fight Night 34 yesterday, UFC lightweight Quinn Mulhern announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on Facebook and his complete statement on retiring is below.
Hey guys. First, just let me express how grateful I am for the love and support of a whole community of people. Especially those folks who have been with me from the beginning of my MMA career. I love you all, thank you.
The dust hasn’t settled exactly so I wouldn’t normally do this now…but it feels like it’s the right time: I am retiring from MMA.
This camp was as perfect as they come. Everything fell into place, mentally, physically…my weight cut was a success. I got to a place of mental focus where I have never been before. But when I got in the cage I just didn’t have it. It wasn’t nerves, I didn’t freeze…I just didn’t have the physical gifts or skill the win. Bottom line is that I could put in years of continued work but I won’t be competitive at this level. Perhaps I’d get quite a bit better, but I think if rather spend that time on something new. I feel this in my bones.
So this is not a tantrum of self-pity. In fact, I feel very clear and good about this decision. I’m so grateful to have done what I’ve done. I’ve gotten to travel all over the world and to fight professionally over twenty times. But this is it.
Now what to do next is the question. I’ll leave that alone for a while. But I’m hopeful and excited for the next step.
The phrase that was the theme of my training camp was “All in due time.” I think that phrase is quite fitting, even now.
Love.
Quinn
Mulhern (18-4) made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2007 and opened his career with eight straight victories. After suffering his first career defeat to Mike Guymon in 2009, he would win his next seven fights before being sinced by Strikeforce in 2011.
His Strikeforce debut came against now UFC welterweight Jason High at Strikeforce Challengers 16 and High scored a decision victory. He would end up winning his next three fights in Strikeforce before coming over to the UFC when Strikeforce went away.
Once in the UFC, Mulhern would not be able to score a victory as he suffered his first career defeat by knockout against Rick Story at UFC 158, and losing his lightweight debut against Kikuno yesterday.
Mulhern will leave the sport with eighteen career victories and eleven of those wins coming by submission. Five of his eleven submissions came by rear-naked choke and his last submission victory came against Danny Davis Jr. by way of arm triangle choke at Strikeforce Challengers 19 in 2011.