One of the pioneers of women's MMA, Roxanne Modafferi hung up her gloves in February, after almost 20 years of service to the sport. The "Happy Warrior" was coming off three consecutive defeats.
Roxanne Modafferi (25-20)
After almost three years away from competition, Chas Skelly defeated Mark Striegl in his farewell fight from MMA in February. At 37 years old, the featherweight opted to retire due to repeated injuries.
Chas skelly (19-3-1NC)
Finalist in two editions of TUF, Dhiego Lima had his last fight in June last year, but announced his retirement in February this year. At 33 years old, the Brazilian left the sport after two consecutive defeats.
Dhiego Lima (15-9)
One of MMA's greatest knockout artists, Paul Daley hung up his gloves at the age of 39 after yet another knockout, over Brazilian Wendell Giacomo, at Bellator 281, in May.
Paul Daley (43-18-2)
Joanna announced her retirement after a knockout suffered in her rematch against Weili Zhang, at UFC 275. At 34 years old, the former strawweight champion leaves the sport as one of the greats in the history of women's MMA.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-5)
After more than ten years fighting in the UFC, Wineland opted to retire after his quick defeat against Cody Stamann in June. The 38-year-old American has won just one of his last six fights.
Eddie Wineland (24-16-1)
Without fighting since 2019, Zabit Magomedsharipov made his retirement official in June this year. The Russian leaves the sport with an unbeaten record that lasted 14 fights, the last six in the UFC octagon.
Zabit Magomedsharipov (18-1)
June was also the month for Felice Herrig to say goodbye to MMA after losing to Karolina Kowalkiewicz. The defeat was the fourth in a row for the American, who hung up her gloves at the age of 37.
Felice herrig (14-10)
At 39 years old, Cerrone announced his retirement after his defeat to Jim Miller at UFC 276. The 'Cowboy' left the sport as the second fighter with the most fights, victories and interruptions in the history of Ultimate.
Donald Cerrone (36-17-2 NC)
At the same event, Jessica Eye also said goodbye to MMA after losing to Maycee Barber. At 35 years old, the American left the sport after four consecutive defeats.
Jessica Eye (15-11-1NC)
Amanda Nunes' wife, the American announced her retirement after her victory over Cynthia Calvillo at UFC San Diego, explaining that she intends to have more children with the Brazilian.
nina nunes (11-7)
At 38 years old, the 'Ambulance Man' hung up his MMA gloves in August, a month after his defeat to André Sergipano. Shortly after, he debuted in boxing by beating former NFL Le'Veon Bell.
Uriah Hall (17-11)
Former Bellator champion and UFC belt challenger, the Canadian hung up his gloves at the age of 33 after being knocked out in the semifinals of the PFL welterweight tournament.
Rory McDonald (23-10-1)
The former middleweight champion returned from a long absence to face Paulo Borrachinha at UFC 278 and chose to retire after losing to the Brazilian.
Luke Rockhold (16-6)
At 33 years old, Italian Alessio Di Chirico hung up his gloves after a knockout against Roman Kopylov at UFC Paris in September.
Alessio di chirico (13-7)
The greatest featherweight in history, the 'People's Champion' chose to hang up his gloves at the age of 36, about a month after his defeat to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278.
José Aldo (31-8)
At 36 years old, the 'Vanilla Gorilla' announced his retirement at the end of October, two months after being knocked out by Josh Quinlan.
Jason Witt (19-9)
Legend of the sport, Edgar hung up his gloves in a bitter way, being brutally knocked out by Chris Gutierrez at UFC 281, in November.
Frankie Edgar (24-11)
The Kazakh flyweight announced his retirement in November after being defeated by Charles Johnson in a controversial decision by the judges.
Zhalgas Zhumagulov (14-8)
Suffering from successive injuries, the former bantamweight champion announced his retirement in December.