UFC heavyweight Soa Palelei announces MMA retirement

Soa Palelei

UFC heavyweight and fan favorite Soa Palelei has called it a wrap on his lengthy career.

The 38-year-old Australian striker, who said he needs to “to focus on my family and other career interests,” made the announcement on Monday. However, Palelei said he still plans to stay involved in the sport (via Twitter):

I want to take an opportunity to officially announce my retirement from the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. Thank you to the UFC, Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Joe Silva for giving me a second chance to fight for the organization. I’ve had a great time, but feel it’s time to focus on my family and other career interests. After several months of thought and discussion with my family and my team, we realize our future includes many things in MMA, but active competition in the sport is no longer one of them. This isn’t goodbye, as I will still be very much involved in the sport but just not as a fighter. I want to help further MMA around the world and give my contribution to the sport. I know that I have, and will continue to contribute much to the growth of our sport outside of the Octagon. Stay tuned guys as there is still so much more to come from “The Hulk” ?#?WatchThisSpace? ?#?MuchLove

Palelei (22-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC), one of the sport’s more charitable fighters, made his pro debut more than 13 years ago – back in September 2012. After fighting throughout Australia, he earned a one-fight stint with PRIDE in 2004, where he suffered his first career loss. “The Hulk” returned three years later and ultimately earned an invitation to the UFC, but in his lone appearance during that stint, he suffered a TKO loss to Eddie Sanchez.

By 2011, though, Palelei found his stride. From 2011-2014, he posted 11 straight wins – all via knockout – which included a return to the UFC and consecutive victories over Nikita Krylov, Pat Barry and Ruan Potts. That earned him a brief run in the NOS Energy Drink MMA heavyweight rankings.

However, he’s just 1-2 since then, and in his most recent appearance, he suffered a TKO loss to Antonio Silva at UFC 190 in August.

While Palelei won’t be remembered as one of the sport’s greats, he was certainly a notable athlete in his home country and earned a substantial fan base over the years. He was an upbeat personality on social media and a favorite at fan events, and he helped MMA reshape its image in Australia due to his stature in the sport and his numerous charity efforts.

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