Ex-UFC star "forced" to retire, Michael Chandler won't play the victim, Jon Jones gets NSFW online: MMA News Roundup
A former UFC fighter has retired from MMA abruptly due to financial struggles. Elsewhere, Michael Chandler may have finally moved on from Conor McGregor.
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Ex-UFC star Darren Stewart retires
On Tuesday, former UFC and Cage Warriors fighter Darren Stewart announced on Instagram that he was retiring from MMA with a heavy heart. He wrote that fighting was not earning him enough for himself and his family and the circumstances forced him to pursue a different career. However, he did not write off a potential foray into boxing in the future.
'The Dentist' wrote:
"It hurts me to write this but I think it’s time to call it a day. Not by choice but I’m forced too because I’ve lost a lot to this game trying to survive and I can’t do it no more... I’ve got family and it’s not fair on them stressing just to keep food on the table. I love fighting and I don’t want to call it as I’m only 33 but im not getting any help financially."
He added:
"Maybe I’ll get into boxing if it ever arises but MMA? …..yeah I’m done. Brings tears writing this seriously but it is what it is."
Stewart made his UFC debut in 2016 against Francimar Barroso which was declared a 'No Contest' due to an accidental clash of heads. He went on to lose three and win two next before losing the TUF 28 finale to Edmen Shahbazyan. He eventually got cut from the UFC in 2021 after several consecutive losses.
He returned to Cage Warriors, where he amassed a four-fight winning streak before being knocked out by Carlos Alexandre Pereira at his last outing in March 2024.
Read Stewart's full statement in the post below:
Michael Chandler is ready to put Conor McGregor behind him
Michael Chandler reiterated that he does not regret waiting for the Conor McGregor fight. However, he is more than ready to put the business behind him once and for all.
Speaking on the Beat the Heat podcast, 'Iron' said:
"If this is a hill I die on and it doesn’t work out well for me, at least I was a man of my word."
He added:
"I’m not going to ever play the victim… with all due respect, I’m ready to put you behind me. I’m ready to put you flat on your back in the middle of an octagon… and I can walk out of that octagon and never have to think about you again.”
Dana White recently revealed in an Instagram Live that he will announce Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler's next fights soon.
Jon Jones aims NSFW message at Tom Aspinall
Despite Dana White's repeated endorsements, Jon Jones is failing to hold up the reputation of the MMA GOAT.
During a recent interview with Sport Bible, Tom Aspinall labeled Jones as the 'champion of fight dodging' in the UFC. As the interim UFC heavyweight champion, Aspinall has been trying to fight Jones for months while 'Bones' remains steadfast about facing Stipe Miocic.
Jones responded to the comment with an NSFW retort on Instagram:
"This dude literally has my large black c**k in his mouth every week. I'm flattered. I absolutely guarantee he will not win more world championships than me. That's truly all that matters at the end of the day. There's been many champions, no one like me. I sleep good at night."