The transition from being a superstar in a high-level professional sport to the quiet life of retirement can be one of the most challenging periods in an athlete’s life. For UFC fighters, who spend years dedicating their bodies and minds to one of the most physically demanding sports in the world, finding purpose and success after hanging up the gloves presents unique challenges and opportunities. Here’s how some of the sport’s biggest names have navigated life after the octagon.
Retirement: The Entrepreneur’s Path
Chuck Liddell became one of the UFC’s first major crossover stars and has remained active in various business ventures since retiring. The former light heavyweight champion has worked as a UFC ambassador, appeared in films and television shows, and invested in several business ventures. While some personal struggles have marked his later years, Liddell successfully leveraged his fame into lasting business relationships within and outside the fighting world.
Tito Ortiz took a different entrepreneurial route, launching his own MMA promotion company and remaining active in combat sports as a coach and mentor. Ortiz also ventured into politics, serving on the Huntington Beach City Council, demonstrating how fighters can transition their competitive drive into public service.
Retirement: Media and Commentary Success Stories
Daniel Cormier represents the gold standard for fighter-to-commentator transitions. The former two-division champion seamlessly moved into broadcasting, becoming one of the UFC’s premier color commentators alongside Joe Rogan. Cormier’s analytical mind and ability to break down fights for casual fans made him invaluable to the organization, proving that fighting intelligence can translate directly into media success.
Dominick Cruz similarly found success in the broadcast booth, using his technical fighting knowledge to provide expert analysis. His articulate breakdown of fights and fighting techniques made him a sought-after voice in MMA media.
Other notable UFC fighters who embraced the post-fight-career spotlight in commentary roles include Randy Couture, Michelle Waterson, Paul Felder, Chael Sonnen, Michael Bisping, Bas Rutten, Pat Miletich Jens Pulver, Kenny Florian, and Dan Hardy.
Retirement: The Acting and Entertainment Route
Ronda Rousey made one of the most dramatic post-fighting career pivots, transitioning from the octagon to Hollywood and professional wrestling. After her fighting career ended following back-to-back knockout losses, Rousey appeared in major films and became a significant draw in WWE. Her ability to reinvent herself in entertainment showcased the crossover appeal that major UFC stars can possess. She also landed a starring role in a spinoff movie inspired by HBO’s wildly popular Entourage series.
Don Frye and Dan Severn parlayed their early and legendary UFC careers into a podcast called “Toxic Masculinity,” where they interview a variety of combat sports stars and other special guests. Both also appear often at conventions and autograph signing events to supplement their retirement income.
Retirement: Coaching and MMA Promotions
Many retired fighters have found fulfillment in passing on their knowledge to the next generation. Matt Hughes , despite facing significant personal challenges (including a serious train accident) remains involved in coaching and farm life, staying connected to his rural roots while mentoring young fighters. Training MMA prospects has been a popular outlet for many UFC retirees like Mike Brown, Urijah Faber, Wanderlei Silva, Matt Serra, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, and Mark Hunt. Faber also owns and operates an MMA feeder league that often contributes contestants to Dana White’s Contender Series.
Rich Franklin has built a successful career in fighter development and MMA promotion, working with organizations like ONE Championship in executive roles. His business acumen and fighting experience have made him especially valuable in the administrative side of combat sports.
Retirement: Mixed Results and Its Challenges
Not every retirement story has been smooth. B.J. Penn, despite being a legend of the sport and former two-division champion, has faced numerous legal troubles and personal challenges in retirement. His struggles highlight the difficulties some fighters face when transitioning away from the structure and purpose that professional fighting provided. Though Penn is the face of a major MMA news site at www.bjpenn.com, he is getting much more attention these days for his wild accusations against his own family. He’s repeatedly suggested his mother and brothers were murdered and replaced by impostors, even claiming that the government is involved somehow:
War Machine(Jon Koppenhaver) represents one of the more tragic post-fight-career stories. In March 2017, Koppenhaver was convicted on 29 felony counts of rape, kidnapping, domestic battery, and other charges after sexually assaulting and beating his ex-girlfriend, pornographic film actress Christy Mack and her then-boyfriend Corey Thomas in 2014. His case underscores the importance of mental health support and proper transition planning for retiring fighters. He is currently serving a 36-years to life term in a Nevada state prison for his egregious and violent crimes.
Retirement: The Continuing Competitor
Some fighters have found it difficult to truly step away from competition. Anderson Silva continued fighting well past his prime, competing in boxing matches and smaller MMA promotions even after his official UFC retirement. While this has allowed him to remain in the spotlight, it also raises questions about when legends should definitively step away from combat sports.
The recently and finally fully retired Jose Aldo just closed out a post-retirement comeback to the UFC with a tough loss before deciding to lay down his MMA gloves again. However, he is still not ruling out the prospect of potentially getting back into competitive boxing at some point.
Retirement: Business Ventures
Georges St-Pierre has perhaps managed his post-fighting career most strategically, carefully selecting business ventures and maintaining his brand value. The former welterweight and middleweight champion has invested in various businesses while staying connected to martial arts through seminars and occasional acting roles.
Forrest Griffin found success working within the UFC organization itself after his retirement, taking on roles in fighter development and company operations. As a fighter, Griffin was most well-known for an April 2005 battle to crown the first “Ultimate Fighter” with now-deceased Stephan Bonnar. That bout is considered by many experts to be the best UFC fight ever. Griffin’s transition from fighter to UFC employee allowed him to remain close to the sport while building a stable post-fighting career. He is now a familiar fixture in commercials for longtime UFC Sponsor Toyo Tires.
Retirement: The Importance of Planning
The most successful post-retirement careers tend to belong to fighters who planned ahead and developed interests outside of fighting during their active careers. Fighters like Cormier, who pursued education and developed broadcasting skills while still competing, were better positioned for smooth transitions.
Conversely, fighters who defined themselves entirely through competition often struggled more with retirement, sometimes leading to comeback attempts or difficulty finding new sources of purpose and income.
Retirement: Mental Health and Support Systems
The retirement transition has highlighted the importance of mental health support for combat athletes. The UFC has gradually increased resources for retired fighters, but many still struggle with identity issues, financial concerns, and the physical aftermath of their fighting careers. Some of the fighters who participated in twin class action lawsuits against the UFC detailed the nightmare scenarios they were facing with their physical health and financial woes in heartbreaking affidavits filed last fall. The first of the two cases was settled a few months later, while the second one continues to march toward trial.
Support from family, proper financial planning, and having interests outside of fighting appear to be crucial factors in determining how well fighters adapt to retirement life.
Retirement: Looking Forward
As the UFC continues to grow and fighter pay increases, newer generations of fighters may be better positioned for retirement success. Higher earnings during their careers combined with increased awareness of transition challenges could lead to better outcomes for future retirees.
The transition from professional fighting to retirement can be challenging, but success in retirement is certainly achievable with proper planning, support, and the same dedication that made these fighters successful in the octagon. The key appears to be recognizing that retirement from fighting isn’t an ending, but rather the beginning of a new chapter. Ex-UFC fighters who thrive in their post-fight-career journeys just find a way to harness that same strategic thinking and determination that got them into the world’s most successful MMA league in the first place.
