Retirement tracker: Former UFC title challengers, fan-favorites and more hung up the gloves in 2021

MMA is a constantly evolving sport with a revolving door of athletes entering and exiting. Currently, fighters from the era that helped make the sport so popular are beginning to trickle away from competition and hang up their gloves in order to move on to the next chapter in life.

If there’s one thing that’s well known about combat sports retirements, though, it’s that they often don’t last long. The urge to compete, and perhaps more importantly get a payday, will continue to drive fighters back even well beyond their expiration dates.

2021 has seen an uptick in notable fighters announcing they are done with the sport, and we have a list of those who opted to walk away this past year.