Former UFC, WEC bantamweight contender Takeya Mizugaki retires from MMA

Takeya Mizugaki’s professional fighting career has come to an end.

The Japanese fighter has decided to call it quits after a career of nearly 15 years. The news was first reported by MMA Planet on Tuesday.

Mizugaki (23–14–2) is best known for his years in WEC and UFC. The 36-year-old competed in WEC five times from 2009-10, then migrated over when the Zuffa-owned promotion was absorbed by the UFC. Mizugaki competed in the UFC 14 times from 2011-16.

Although Mizugaki didn’t win titles in either organization, he challenged WEC bantamweight campion Miguel Torres and lost a split decision in Chicago in a wild bout considered by many one of the best fights of 2009. He also maintained a top contender status during his stint in the UFC.

Mizugaki fought some of the best fighters of his weight class such as Dominick Cruz, Urijah Faber, Cody Garbrandt, Eddie Wineland, Aljamain Sterling, Torres and others.

He last fought in August 2019 where he suffered a KO loss to Manel Kape at RIZIN 18.