LAS VEGAS – UFC CEO Dana White want to see a number of veteran fighters who competed at UFC 310 to name it a profession.
The ultimate pay-per-view occasion of 2024 at T-Cellular Area hosted a wide range of matchups, together with fighters reminiscent of Clay Guida, who made his thirty seventh stroll to the UFC octagon, to Kai Asakura, who made a uncommon title shot debut in the principle occasion.
Following the occasion, White was requested by a reporter about the way forward for veterans like Guida (38-25 MMA, 18-19 UFC), Anthony Smith, and Chris Weidman, who all not solely did not file a victory however have been completed of their fights.
White’s reply was brief and direct.
“All of them retire tonight,” White replied at a post-event information convention. “They need to all retire tonight.”
Within the second battle of the early prelims, Guida was submitted by Chase Hooper within the first spherical. The matchup was the most important age hole in promotion historical past (Guida, 43; Hooper, 25). Guida, who’s within the UFC Corridor of Fame for his 2009 conflict towards Diego Sanchez, has misplaced three straight fights.
Afterward the prelims, former middleweight champion Weidman (16-8 MMA, 12-8 UFC) was grounded and pounded by Eryk Anders in a second-round TKO loss. Weidman, 40, entered on the heels of a win, however has not put collectively back-to-back victories since 2014-15. The previous champ has gone 3-8 since his first profession loss, which towards Luke Rockhold at UFC 194.
Former mild heavyweight title challenger Smith (37-21 MMA, 13-11 UFC) entered his battle towards Dominick Reyes with heavy feelings because of the premature demise of his coach. Reyes dominated and completed the battle within the second spherical. Smith, 36, eliminated his gloves afterward, however wouldn’t decide to retirement.
When a fighter begins to speak retirement, White has usually inspired the transfer. The UFC boss believes if a fighter has one foot out of the door, they need to hold up the gloves as a result of preventing within the UFC requires full dedication mentally and bodily. He has additionally inspired retirement when beloved fighters seem unable to compete on the identical degree.
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