Keeping up with the retirement thread, a lot of MMA giants have bowed out in 2024. Mike Grundy, Tyson Pedro, Jamie Pickett, Felice Herrig, and Mark Madsen are just a few. The last retirement announcement was Joanne Wood making an in-cage announcement after her win at UFC 299. Now, 30-fight veteran and UFC welterweight Matt Brown is hanging up the gloves after a long run.
Brown last went up against Court McGee at UFC on ABC 4 in May 2023. His first-round knockout at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida marks him bowing out on a 2-1 record in his last three outings. The 170-pound stalwart made his pro-MMA debut on October 8, 2005. Now, he writes on social media handles he’s leaving active participation to focus on other businesses & teaching MMA.
Not doing it again. I’m out. That’s the announcement. My life will now be dedicated to serving others. Growing others in the martial arts and building businesses that can help the community and the world.
Matt Brown via X (@IamTheImmortal)
Matt Brown represented a class of rugged old-school combatants who made the scope of combat sports what it is today. ‘The Immortal’ lives up to his moniker and boasts all-time-great scraps. His rivalry with Erick Silva was one. In recent memory, yet another memorable war was with Bryan Barberena at UFC on ESPN 33, and other highlights include Stephen Thompson, Dhiego Lima, Diego Sanchez, and others.
Thanks to @danawhite and @ufc for giving me a platform to express myself and my brand but it is time to move on to bigger, better things!
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) May 4, 2024
Check out link in bio on ig for the best martial arts instructionals, coffee, creatine gummies and Airbnb listings that I own! There’s something there for everyone let’s go!
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) May 4, 2024
He takes his cue out with 13 career UFC KOs, the second-highest ever. He has 15 stoppage wins, the most in UFC’s 170-pound history. The TUF: Season 7 Alum has become quite an outspoken yet stoic notoriety these days, calling out false clinical practices in MMA. Consequently, his foray into highlights has always excited fans. Hence, an indulgent multitude showered their thanks to the fighter on the announcement.
Fight fans react to Matt Brown’s retirement announcement
UFC welterweight veteran Matt Brown, who turned 43 in January, announced his out from combat sports. Brown (24-19 MMA, 17-13 UFC) took to social media (X and Instagram) this Saturday to thank head honcho Dana White for helping him being part of the UFC-history. He is now gunning towards “bigger, better things.”
Fans & peers wish Matt Brown well on his retirement news (Source: UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) / X)Contrastingly, there’s been nothing better than the long career run of ‘The Immortal.’ As a castmate on “The Ultimate Fighter 7,” he had back-to-back KOs before falling prey to eventual winner Amir Sadollah. However, following his stint on TUF, Brown debuted and accumulated his longest UFC win streak with seven victories in a row (2012). It’s only been uphill from there. Here’s how fans have reacted to his announcement:
Enjoy retirement bro great career 🙏🙏
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 4, 2024
You will always be a legend of the sport in my mind. The first ufc I ever attended was to corner Pete Sell against a guy named Matt Brown. 1st fight I ever witnessed up close. Always was blown away at how much of a beast you are.
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) May 4, 2024
Enjoy retirement you Legend🫡
— Joe Joe Giannetti 💀 (@Giannettimma) May 4, 2024
man, your fights/highlights will live forever in this sport. An absolute savage inside the cage and a class act outside of it. Congrats on the career and thanks for the 15+ years of memories in the UFC. The hellbows will be missed.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 4, 2024
Thanks so much for all the entertaining fights. Good luck with what’s next.
— Joseph Gilpin (@SprawlDontLie) May 4, 2024
Thank you for such an amazing career 🙏🏼
— Ben Davis (@BenTheBaneDavis) May 4, 2024
Thank you for an amazing career @IamTheImmortal 🙏🏻 it was a pleasure to watch you compete
— MMA Casuals (@MMA_CASUALS_) May 4, 2024
Thank you for sharing your craft with us all!! ✊
— Collin Chan (@CollinChan) May 4, 2024
Cheers to the Immortal Matt Brown for an amazing career!
His legendary war with Erick Silva encapsulated everything he gave us throughout his UFC career.
In just over 12 minutes, this fight had it all: an unreal face-off, unmatched heart, ultimate grit, brutal body shots,… pic.twitter.com/yO7puRMuWo
— AFeldmanMMA (@afeldMMA) May 4, 2024
If you are a hardcore MMA fan of a certain age, Matt is almost certainly one of your favorites.
Wickedly violent and savagely cerebral.
What an incredible career. 🙏 https://t.co/6vGe8nQiQk
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) May 5, 2024
The likes of welterweight peer Belal Muhammad and middleweight veteran Chris Weidman have also chimed in to wish him the best. Many fans have unanimously wished him luck on his next journey.
Brown considered retiring early in his career. However, he ultimately decided against it after he knocked out Diego Sanchez in 2017. Subsequently, all have accredited him as deserving of his break from MMA. Concurrently, Brown recently opened his own gym in Columbus, Ohio, and mentions imparting to MMA as a teacher. Fans have wished him well on the venture.
