Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

Paddy Holohan announces retirement, promotion seeking new opponent for Willie Gates at UFC Fight Night 87

UFC flyweight Paddy Holohan announced his retirement from mixed martial arts today due to a rare disorder and the promotion is seeking a new opponent for Wille Gates at UFC Fight Night 87 in thirteen days.

The announcement of Holohan’s retirement came from the UFC and it was revealed that Holohan’s disorder “wasn’t disclosed until after his last fight.” Medical professionals advised the flyweight fighter to retire for his long term health and safety.

Holohan’s complete statement on his decision to retire from the UFC website is below.

“I was born with a factor missing in my blood called Factor XIII,” Holohan said. “I never disclosed it then or now. I can no longer pass the medical requirements to compete.”

“I knew that it was so rare that organizations wouldn’t understand or take the chance with me, as I have found out now,” Holohan continued. “I never explained in full to my coach John Kavanagh or my team the actual risks because I didn’t think there was excess risk.”

“I’m happy because I always wore my heart on my sleeve, never cheated, never turned away from diversity or challenges, and always strived to inspire and encourage people from all backgrounds,” Holohan said.

“And I’m sad because I will never make that walk again, under those lights, feeling all those uncomfortable, yet life-giving feelings as they count and you hear ‘Walk, walk, walk,’ staring into a camera, knowing millions are watching, but most importantly the Irish are watching.

“Thanks to all of my team over the past nine years at SBG,” Holohan added. “My coach John who backed me regardless when I had nothing but effort to offer him in payment, it’s been an incredible journey for this council kid!

“To all the Irish people and people of my hometown of Tallaght who have always caught my falls and helped me back to my feet, I am forever grateful to the people who have backed me through thick and thin. This has made me the man I am today.”

UFC Fight Night 87 will come from the Ahoy Rotterdam in Rotterdam, Netherlands on May 8 and the current fight card is below.

Alistair Overeem (40-14, 1NC) vs. Andrei Arlovski (25-11, 1NC)
Antonio Silva (19-8, 1NC) vs. Stefan Struve (30-8)
Albert Tumenov (17-2) vs. Gunnar Nelson (14-2-1)
Germaine de Randamie (5-3) vs. Anna Elmose (3-0)
Nikita Krylov (19-4) vs. Francimar Barroso (18-4)
Karolina Kowalkiewicz (8-0) vs. Heather Jo Clark (7-4)
Rustam Khabilov (18-3) vs. Chris Wade (11-1)
Magnus Cedenblad (13-4) vs. Garreth McLellan (12-3)
Nick Hein (13-2, 1NC) vs. Jon Tuck (9-2)
Yan Cabral (12-2) vs. Reza Madadi (13-4)
Kyoji Horiguchi (16-2) vs. Neil Seery (16-11)
Leon Edwards (10-3) vs. Domonic Waters (9-4)
Willie Gates (12-6) vs. TBD