Former UFC contender Tyson Griffin announces WSOF release, hints at retirement

Tyson Griffin

Tyson Griffin is no longer on the WSOF roster, and the former UFC contender is suggesting his fighting career may be over.

Today, Griffin announced WSOF President Ray Sefo had granted his request for a release (via Twitter);

According to the vet, he’ll now focus on training, including his ongoing work with newly crowned UFC light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier (via Twitter):

Griffin, a 31-year-old Californian and longtime wrestler, hasn’t fought since a decision loss to Luiz Firmino at WSOF 10 in June 2014. A fight prior, he suffered a TKO loss to Gesias Cavalcante at WSOF 4, and he’s now just 2-6 since 2010.

Although Griffin, who’s previously worked with Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas and San Jose’s American Kickboxing Academy, was cut from the UFC in 2010 after failing to make weight and then suffering a knockout loss to featherweight Bart Palaszewski at UFC 137, he was once one of the biggest stars in the organization’s lightweight division.

Griffin went 7-2 in his first nine UFC fights and picked up six fight-night bonuses during the process. Wins came over notables such as now-champ Rafael dos Anjos, Gleison Tibau, Clay Guida and Thiago Tavares. The Guida victory earned both competitors “Fight of the Year” awards.

Prior to joining the UFC – and in just his third pro fight – Griffin defeated future WEC champ and superstar Urijah Faber to win the Gladiator Challenge featherweight belt. It was part of an 8-0 start – with eight stoppages, including seven in the first round – to Griffin’s pro career in 2004.

For more on the UFC’s and WSOF’s upcoming schedules, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.