Brazilian Rafael Sapo announces retirement from MMA

R. Sapo announced his retirement (Photo: Reproduction Facebook UFC)

Brazilian Rafael “Sapo” Natal announced, this Monday (2), that he will no longer fight MMA. His retirement comes after a negative streak of three defeats, including a setback to the current interim middleweight champion, Robert whittaker, in addition to having lost to Tim Boetsch and Erik Anders, in his last fight as a professional.

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At 34 years old, Sapo declared that he will focus on improving as a coach in the next phase of his professional life. He opened an academy in Brazil and intends to open another in New York, where he lives, in addition to returning to compete in jiu-jitsu next year. Sapo is a Renzo Gracie black belt and trains on the former fighter's team in the United States.

“I came to announce my retirement from MMA. The walk from home to the studio was the hardest I've ever done because it's complicated to make this announcement, but I talked to my coaches, family and friends. It's time. I have a new focus in my career which is to become a coach. It was a long journey. I love MMA, I love training, cutting weight, but I've already had some surgeries. I focused 100% of my life on sport for 15 years, so it's time to take a step back. My mother made this request some time ago, and it was a difficult decision, but it’s what we have”, commented Sapo, in an interview with the program The MMA Hour.

The middleweight leaves MMA with a record of 21 wins, nine losses and one draw. For the UFC, there were nine triumphs, seven setbacks and one draw. He has wins over Kevin Casey, Chris Camozzi, Tom Watson and, most importantly, Uriah Hall.