UFC fighter Matt Brown has voiced his opinion on why he disapproves of competitors publicizing their plans to retire following an upcoming bout, using Anthony Smith`s recent fight as a prime example. Smith had shared his intention to step away from the sport this past Saturday, well in advance of his first-round TKO defeat against Zhang Mingyang in the UFC Kansas City co-main event.
The seasoned veteran, with 50 professional fights under his belt, collaborated with the UFC to schedule his final appearance, strategically timing and locating it close to where he trained for much of his career in Kansas City, conveniently near his Nebraska home. Regrettably, Smith`s intended farewell ended brutally, with a deep cut above his eye from an elbow followed by a barrage of ground strikes from Zhang.
While this was certainly not the celebratory exit Smith had hoped for, fellow UFC stalwart Matt Brown believes such disappointing outcomes are frequently the result when fighters make public declarations about a pending retirement fight.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer, Brown echoed a sentiment previously expressed by Dana White:
“Dana has said it before, and I actually agree with him, if you’re already thinking about it, you should just stop now,” Brown remarked. “Something along those lines.”
He elaborated on his stance, saying, “That’s why I’m not such a fan of guys planning their retirement fight. I get it. Some guys like Robbie Lawler, they handle it well and still go out there and get it done, but I think when you’ve already got a foot out the door, you’re probably going to be fighting a guy with two feet in the door. So it’s going to be a problem.”
Drawing from his own 15 years competing in the UFC, Brown understands the inherent dangers and potential worst-case scenarios present in every single fight.
This risk escalates considerably when one fighter is mentally transitioning towards retirement, while their opponent is still in the full vigor and focus of their career.
“The UFC hasn’t had anyone die from a fight that I know of, but it happens,” Brown stated, underscoring the gravity of the sport. “Our life is truly on the line in there, and I don’t think it’s a good thing to go in with a foot [out] the door, which was a part of my retirement.”
“I was like, if I’ve got a foot out, I’m not going to go in there with a guy with both feet in. You’re risking a lot, especially when you’ve got kids and stuff,” he added, referencing his personal reasons for retiring when he did.
When Brown eventually had his final octagon appearance, he wasn`t planning for it to be his last walk to the cage. He secured a stunning knockout victory over Court McGee but only made the decision to retire a year later. The realization came when he received an offer for another fight and no longer felt the intense enthusiasm and drive that had fueled his career for so long. That moment signaled to Brown that it was the correct time to retire.
While acknowledging the desire for a grand finale that motivates fighters like Smith, Brown has witnessed far more instances of planned retirement fights ending in defeat than in triumphant wins.
“It’s just a different mentality,” Brown explained. “You can absolutely go in [thinking] I’m going to leave it all in there, it’s my last time and everything. But the guy you’re fighting isn’t thinking that way. He’s in there thirsty for blood, and he’s in there to try to get to a championship, and he’s in there to make money and all this shit. You know the old saying, it comes from boxing, you walk up the stairs in wooden shoes and you walk down the stairs in silk slippers. That’s kind of what you’re seeing in these situations.”
He continued, highlighting the diverging focus, “We’ve got other things going on, making money in other ways, our brand is out there, the name’s out there, and it’s like this isn’t full focus anymore. Again, some guys can handle that properly, like Jon Jones. I don’t think he has to have both feet in the door to be out there legendarily beating other legends. He just doesn’t have to. Most of us, we have to. I’ve never really been too big of a fan of that.”
Rather than orchestrating a specific retirement fight event, Brown suggests athletes should recognize when their career is naturally winding down and consider retiring sooner, perhaps without a major announcement, as a more prudent course of action.
Brown understands that Smith`s situation is not unique within the UFC, but he hopes fighters will carefully weigh all potential outcomes and factors before setting the stage for what could tragically end in disaster.
“When you do start voicing it, or you are even having that thought in your mind, you’re going in against a guy that is in a completely different mindset for the most part,” Brown emphasized. “I mean, I’m sure there are some guys who fight just to fight or whatever, but most likely you’re going in there against a guy thirsty for blood and wants to make money and wants all those big things. If that’s not where your mindset is, you’re going to be a step behind. It’s just a fact. I don’t think you can say it any different.”
“You’re going to be a step behind when that guy is thirsty for everything, and you’re kind of like, ‘This is my last time, I’m going to leave it all in here.’ But are you really? What are you leaving it all in there for? For your legacy? This guy is leaving it all in there because he wants to move up. You’re leaving it all in there so that you feel cool, and feel like you did a great thing or whatever, your motivation is totally different. It’s just not a good mindset, in my opinion.”
