UFC flyweight Carlos Candelario announces retirement

UFC flyweight Carlos Candelario says he’s done fighting.

In a recent social media post, Candelario (8-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC) revealed his decision to retire in a story posted recently on Facebook.

“I get asked almost every day when my next fight is,” Candelario wrote. “After months of reflecting, the team & I made the decision to retire. It (has) been a great long journey but I’ve been feeling like this for years. Now it time to put my attention onto other things that I’m passionate about. Appreciate the (love) so much. The train is not stopping, I’m just on different tracks now. God bless ya.”

Candelario, 32, departs MMA on a three-fight skid. He first burst into the international spotlight in the inaugural season of Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017. Though he defeated Ronaldo Candido by unanimous decision, Candelario tore his ACL in the fight. Four years later, Candelario won a fight for CES MMA that earned him another DWCS shot. Even though Candelario lost a close split decision to Vitor Altamirano, UFC president Dana White didn’t agree with the decision and signed Candelario anyway.

In May 2022, Candelario debuted and lost a unanimous decision to Tatsuro Taira by unanimous decision. Six months later, Candelario returned and lost by submission to Jake Hadley. He was booked to compete in April vs. Rafael Estevam but withdrew due to injury.