Germaine de Randamie Retires from MMA

Germaine de Randamie, the inaugural UFC women's featherweight champion, has announced her retirement from mixed martial arts after 25 years in combat sports, citing frustrations with the UFC's scheduling for her final fight. The 40-year-old fighter expressed her desire for one last walk in the Octagon, but was informed that all cards for 2024 were fully booked, leading her to make the difficult decision to retire now rather than wait until her planned date in December 2024. De Randamie, who holds a 10-5 record and has faced elite competitors like Amanda Nunes and Holly Holm, had her last fight in April, losing to Norma Dumont. She had previously withdrawn from a bout scheduled for September due to injuries. Despite a storied career and significant accomplishments, de Randamie expressed disappointment over not being able to say goodbye to her fans as she had hoped. Her retirement marks the end of an era for a fighter known for her striking prowess and resilience.