5 most mismatched UFC retirement fights

Every UFC fighter needs to go out in style at the end of a long and tiring combat sports career. The most appropriate retirement match-up gives a competitor a guaranteed big paycheque rather than taking on a young and upcoming contender.

However, not all MMA matchmakers share this opinion. Unfortunately, numerous MMA fights have turned into one-sided beatdowns and tarnished the legacies of legendary fighters who spent their entire careers building them in the first place.

Getting beaten down far worse in your final fight than in your entire career is a tough pill to swallow. If an older fighter takes a heavy beating in their last contest, it could have grave consequences for their health; that is another reason why fighters need to know when to walk away from the sport.

Let's take a look at the five most mismatched UFC retirement fights:

#5. Matt Hughes vs. Josh Koscheck - UFC 135:

Matt Hughes is arguably the best welterweight in MMA history. Hughes is a former two-time welterweight champion and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. The American was known for his exponential wrestling skills and also possessed knockout power in his hands.

At UFC 135, Hughes was booked to fight Josh Koscheck. Koscheck had been calling out Hughes for a long time before he finally got his wish. Both Hughes and Koscheck came from wrestling backgrounds, so everyone hoped for a grappling affair.

However, when the fight started, Koscheck proved his speed and power were levels ahead of Hughes, who looked slow and stiff. As the war went on, Hughes tried to land a big knee but fell, and Koscheck took advantage of the opportunity. He landed massive ground and pound strikes on Hughes, leaving the former champion unconscious.

Watch the fight below: