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In a surprising move, former UFC women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie has announced her retirement from mixed martial arts. Known to fans as “The Iron Lady,” de Randamie originally hoped for one last bout to say goodbye to the sport, but with the UFC’s packed schedule, that farewell will have to remain an unfulfilled wish.
Taking to Instagram to reveal her decision, de Randamie expressed her regret at not being able to compete once more in 2024.
“I was ready for one final battle,” she shared, “but sometimes things don’t go as planned.”
Scheduled to face off against Nora Cornolle at UFC Fight Night 243 in Paris, de Randamie’s plans were derailed after she broke her finger and fractured her foot. This injury forced her out of the fight and, ultimately, her planned exit from MMA.
Though her final wish to retire in the octagon wasn’t granted, de Randamie’s career remains storied and memorable. With a professional record of 10-5, she holds victories over some of the most notable names in women’s MMA, including the current bantamweight champion Julianna Peña, Raquel Pennington, and Holly Holm. De Randamie even boldly attempted to conquer the bantamweight title in 2019, taking on Amanda Nunes in an exciting, yet ultimately unsuccessful, bid to add another division to her list of achievements.
De Randamie was reportedly lined up to face Jacqueline Cavalcanti at UFC Fight Night 249 in January 2024, but she remained silent on this potential matchup. With this announcement, her time in the cage has officially concluded.
Reflecting on her departure, de Randamie leaves behind a legacy defined by resilience, skill, and her unique fighting spirit. Her name will undoubtedly be remembered in the annals of UFC history as the first women’s featherweight champion and as a fighter who faced the best in two weight classes.
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