UFC light heavyweight Patrick Cummins announces MMA retirement

Patrick Cummins has decided to hang up the gloves.

The UFC light heavyweight fighter announced his retirement from the sport Tuesday afternoon via Instagram.

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I’ve given the idea of retirement a lot of careful consideration over the past 6 months. Today is the day that I officially say goodbye to my 20+ year long career as an athlete. It’s not an easy decision to make especially when a competitive life is all I’ve ever known. I’m not quite sure what the next chapter will be titled, but I know one thing for certain. I won’t spend any more time involved in something that my heart isn’t 100% into. I spent over year in the UFC where that was the case but I wasn’t completely aware of it. Turns out that’s probably one of the hardest places to go through the motions. Live and learn. I want to thank my friends, family, loved ones, coaches, sponsors and training partners who’ve had a hand in shaping me over the years. You all know who you are and I love you. One group of people I’ve left out is my fans. I’ve been able to do extraordinary things with your moral support. In good times and especially bad, many of you have reached out with motivation or praise over the years that I could never understand. For that, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I don’t think anyone can look back at their career and be completely satisfied with it, but one thing I wouldn’t change for anything is the unique group of amazing fans I’ve managed to curate. I love you all too. Thank you!! Cheers 🥂 Last but not least all the photos and videos here are from the best in the business and my dear friends since day one. The lovely @allelbows and handsomely mustached @e_casey_leydon Link to the rest of the video is in the bio

A post shared by Patrick Durkin Cummins (@officialdurkin) on Dec 24, 2019 at 9:19am PST

I’ve given the idea of retirement a lot of careful consideration over the past 6 months. Today is the day that I officially say goodbye to my 20+ year long career as an athlete. It’s not an easy decision to make especially when a competitive life is all I’ve ever known.

I’m not quite sure what the next chapter will be titled, but I know one thing for certain. I won’t spend any more time involved in something that my heart isn’t 100% into. I spent over year in the UFC where that was the case but I wasn’t completely aware of it. Turns out that’s probably one of the hardest places to go through the motions. Live and learn.

I want to thank my friends, family, loved ones, coaches, sponsors and training partners who’ve had a hand in shaping me over the years. You all know who you are and I love you.

One group of people I’ve left out is my fans. I’ve been able to do extraordinary things with your moral support. In good times and especially bad, many of you have reached out with motivation or praise over the years that I could never understand. For that, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I don’t think anyone can look back at their career and be completely satisfied with it, but one thing I wouldn’t change for anything is the unique group of amazing fans I’ve managed to curate. I love you all too. Thank you!! Cheers 🥂

Cummins (10-7 MMA, 6-7 UFC) retires after having fought professionally for almost a decade. “Durkin” made his professional MMA debut in 2010. He joined the UFC after a 4-0 start to his career and debuted with the company in a short-notice bout against former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. He lost the fight by first-round TKO.

Cummins, 39, notched notable victories within his six-year run in the UFC. He defeated fighters such as Antonio Carlos Junior, Rafael Cavalcante and Jan Blachowicz. He walks away on a three-fight losing skid.