The news came down on Monday that Dominick Cruz, whom old-timers will remember as the UFC’s first undisputed bantamweight champion, has abdicated his title after suffering a third consecutive catastrophic injury. All told, Cruz, 28, has been out of action for more than two years and has only fought twice in the UFC.
News also came on Monday that Tito Ortiz, formerly the UFC’s longtime light heavyweight kingpin and currently Bellator’s resident shiny object, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Ortiz, 38, has now been out of action for a year-and-a-half, thanks in part to a neck injury that derailed his fight with Quinton Jackson and Bellator’s first pay-per-view event in early November.
There are all sorts of reasons why the writing appears on the wall. But appear it does, for all of us—and most swiftly of all for athletes. Eventually, the time comes to retire, whether you or anyone else likes it or not.
Here are 10 MMA fighters who will hang it up on 2014, listed in no particular order.