(This story has been updated to add new information.)

MMA is a constantly evolving sport, with revolving doors for athletes coming and going. Nowadays, fighters in the era that made sports so popular are beginning to cut gloves away from the competition to move on to the next chapter of their lives.

But if there is one well-known thing about retirement in combat sports, it is that it often doesn’t last long. The urge to compete, and perhaps more importantly, payday, will continue to pull fighters back well beyond their expiration dates.

In 2024, many prominent fighters have already been seen announcing that they have finished the sport, and there is a list of people who have chosen to leave this year (The list will be updated when a new retirement is announced).

Dominique Cruz

Dominique Cruz

MMA debut date: January 29, 2005

Resignation date: February 6, 2025

year: 39

record: 24-4

Notable victory: Urija Faber, TJ Dillashaw, Dematrice Johnson, Joseph Benavidez

sauce: Social Media Announcements

Bill Argeo

Bill Argeo

MMA debut date: June 1, 2012

Resignation date: February 11, 2025

year: 35

record: 18-9

Notable victory: Alexander Hernandez, Joanderson Burrito, Herbert Burns

sauce: Social Media Announcements

Julia Avila

MMA debut date: January 27, 2012

Resignation date: February 15, 2025

year: 36

record: 9-4

Notable victory: Miss Chianzado, Nico Montano

sauce: UFC Fight Night 251 broadcast

Joe Soleki

Joe Soleki

MMA debut date: October 29, 2016

Resignation date: February 17, 2025

year: 31

record: 13-6

Notable victory: Jim Miller, Matt Wiman, Austin Hubbard

sauce: Social Media Announcements

Viviano Fernandez

MMA debut date: October 23, 2004

Resignation date: February 20, 2025

year: 44

record: 25-6

Notable victory: Kevin Bellington, Joachim Hansen, Joe Warren

sauce: 1 Championship 171 broadcast

Martin Nguyen

MMA debut date: July 28, 2012

Resignation date: February 20, 2025

year: 35

record: 15-7

Notable victory: Christian Lee, Eduardo Folayan, Marat Gafrov

sauce: 1 Championship 171 broadcast

Jarin Turner

MMA debut date: February 20, 2016

Resignation date: March 8, 2025

year: 29

record: 14-9

Notable victory: Bobby Green, Brad Riddell

sauce: UFC 313 Cage Side Announcement

Molly McCann

MMA debut date: May 30, 2015

Resignation date: March 22, 2025

year: 34

record: 14-8

Notable victory: Diana Belvita (twice), Hanna Goldie, Arian Lipsky, Priscilla Kachoira

sauce: UFC Fight Night 255 Cage Presentation