Matt Riddle has retired from MMA.
Using social media to make the announcement, Riddle confirmed that an injury has bumped him out of his Sept. 20 fight at Bellator 100, making him unable to financially sustain his lifestyle in the meantime.
I’m retiring from MMA today, I cracked my rib and I can’t fight sept 20th @BellatorMMA can’t give me a fight this year so I can’t afford it!
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) September 10, 2013
A longtime UFC veteran dating back to the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter, Riddle’s professional career was marred by failed drug tests, which caused crucial victories over Chris Clements and Che Mills to be overturned, resulting in his UFC release.
After his second failed drug test following his split-decision victory over Che Mills at UFC on Fuel TV 7, Riddle was released by the UFC and subsequently signed by Legacy Fighting Championships.
However, “Deep Waters” never stepped into the LFC cage, as Bellator quickly bought out his contract and set him up with Luis Melo Jr. in their welterweight tournament.
Now sidelined until the next Bellator tournament due to this rib injury, Riddle said he simply cannot afford to be out of action for an extended period of time, making retirement his only option. He reiterated, via Facebook:
Bellator said they can’t find me a fight till the next tournament and I can’t afford not fighting that long and need a job, sorry if I let anyone down but it isn’t paying the bills
Riddle has made an estimated $278,000 inside the Octagon before undisclosed bonuses and sponsorship money.
Now unable to compete for the foreseeable future, Riddle has decided waiting is simply not an option, and his once-promising career is cut short on the tail end of a disappointing run.
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