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The UFC has a knack for creating legends, but when it comes to saying goodbye, the organization often falls short. Fighters who have dedicated decades to the promotion, built the sport's reputation, and thrilled fans with their sacrifices rarely receive the recognition they deserve when their time in the Octagon comes to an end.
Take Andrei Arlovski, for example. The former heavyweight champion and one of the most decorated fighters in UFC heavyweight history has been a cornerstone of the division for over two decades. With a record-setting number of UFC heavyweight fights and one of the longest careers in the promotion’s history, Arlovski has given everything to the sport and its fans. Yet when his time came to step away, there was no fanfare, no grand sendoff, and no acknowledgment of his incredible contributions. Despite expressing his desire for one final fight to cap off his storied career, Dana White cut him without much more than a few dismissive words.
This weekend, the UFC once again showed its lack of regard for retiring legends. Stipe Miocic, arguably the greatest heavyweight champion in MMA history, announced his official retirement ahead of his bout with Jon Jones. Instead of celebrating the career of a fighter who holds the record for the most successful heavyweight title defenses, the UFC remained silent. Miocic deserved the spotlight, not just for this fight but for his remarkable legacy.
Looking ahead, the UFC has other legends nearing the end of their careers. Fighters like Jim Miller, who holds the record for most fights in UFC history along with many other UFC records, and Dominick Cruz, a pioneer of the bantamweight division, are approaching retirement.
Will they receive the respect and celebration they’ve earned, or will their careers fade quietly into the background as the UFC moves on to the next big thing?
Why Does This Keep Happening In The UFC?
One reason the UFC struggles with honoring its retiring fighters is its relentless focus on the future. The promotion prioritizes emerging stars, viral moments, and marketability over nostalgia and legacy. In a business sense, this strategy makes sense. But it’s also a disservice to the athletes who have poured their lives into building the UFC into what it is today.
There’s also Dana White’s often brusque approach to fighter relations. While he’s quick to praise fighters in their prime, his tone often shifts when they’re no longer seen as assets to the company. This approach has led to numerous examples of beloved fighters being released or sidelined without the dignity or recognition they deserve.
Does this make Dana White a total chode? Not necessarily but it does reflect the common ailments of founders and CEO's who get tunnel visioned on growth and expect their Human Resources department to cover things like this. To be fair this is a ball commonly dropped in all industries of business not just MMA and the UFC - that can't be chalked up to just Dana White or the UFC's head of HR - but the booming growth of the UFC and the culture of combat sports where if you're not the center of the highlight reel; get out of the way! So retirement is naturally not a focus in mixed martial artists promotions.
In reality the UFC does more for MMA fighters than any other promotion and has brought the sport into mainstream. Dana White has arguably done more for MMA fighters than one sole individual and is enamored with work like most CEO's while in an industry where fighters avoid retirement talks until it's too late. With the label of leader however also comes the responsibility of setting standards and establishing a precedent.
Time for a Change
As the UFC continues to grow, it’s time for the promotion to reconsider how it handles retirements. Legends like Arlovski, Miocic, Miller, and Cruz have given fans countless memories and helped make MMA a mainstream sport. They deserve more than a brief acknowledgment during a press conference or a simple social media post.
Here are some ways the UFC could improve:
Retirement Fights / End Of Career Consultation: Grant fighters a proper sendoff with a retirement fight promoted as a celebration of their career, don't just watch their performance deteriorate and make the decision to cut them when it's bad enough. Inform fighters when this is on the table and give them deadlines to improve performance / make the retirement fight call.
Hall of Fame Expansion: Tie retirements to Hall of Fame inductions or future events that honor their contributions such as a "UFC Legends List." That encompasses fighters who may not be in the Hall of Fame but deserve some level of recognition for the contributions to the company and sport. When you have fighters with storied careers and UFC record holders that aren't in the hall of fame, there needs to be a way to celebrate their careers at the end of it. Don't give everyone the retirement party but make sure your loyal contractors get their dues.
Post-Fight Tributes: Use post-fight interviews or in-Octagon tributes to give retiring fighters their moment in the spotlight. Create short documentaries and promos for media outlets / influencers to report on with.
Career Management Sendoff Package: Give fighters a farewell media package that includes brochures and content for them to sell seminars, private coaching's, media endorsements, and help obtain sponsorships. The UFC could even include optional contracts to help them book appearances or keep them involved with event promotions, with a management team lead by media savvy fighters like Conor McGregor & Chael Sonnen overseeing this.
Fighters like Arlovski, Miocic, Miller, and Cruz are more than just athletes—they’re icons who helped shape the sport. They deserve to leave the Octagon with the same respect and admiration they earned inside it. It’s time for the UFC to step up and give its legends the sendoffs they’ve rightfully earned.
What do you think? Should the UFC do more to honor its retiring fighters, or is this just the nature of the fight game? Is Dana White a total chode? Let us know in the comments!
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