McGregor's friend retires at 28 and receives tribute: 'Legend'

Cathal (right) trains with McGregor (left) at SBG Ireland. Photo: Disclosure

At 28 years old, many of the biggest names in MMA history were just beginning their journey in mixed martial arts, but, for Irishman Cathal Pendred, this will be the age that marked his farewell to the sport. Your training companion Conor McGregor at SBG Ireland used social media to announce that it is hanging up its gloves for good.

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“I am a passionate person and I always give 100% to everything I do. I have been in love with MMA for a long time and my focus on the sport has been my motivation for the last nine years. I think now my passion is not the same as before and I feel like it's time to move on. I have other interests that I want to invest in. It's the right time to close one door and open another. My love for MMA remains. I intend to maintain my involvement with the sport, but I no longer wish to compete”, wrote the TUF semi-finalist.

Cathal, in fact, was honored by McGregor himself, who spared no praise for his friend, whom he classified as a legend of the sport. “A guy who came from no combat sports background and came into the game when there were no Irish fighters signed to the UFC. A time when 99% of people within the Irish MMA community, and 100% outside it, said it was impossible for an Irishman to sign, let alone win, in the UFC. Today, everyone thinks it is possible. Cathal rose thanks to nothing but hard work, legitimate bravery and an attitude to win the Cage Warriors belt. TUF runner-up (in reality, Cathal was a semi-finalist) and had a solid record of 4 wins and two losses in the UFC octagon”, wrote the interim featherweight champion.

Cathal Pendred ended his career with a record of 17 wins, four losses and one draw. After four consecutive victories in Ultimate, Pendred suffered two consecutive defeats in the Octagon, to John Howard and Tom Breese.

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