Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight contender, Darren Stewart, has decided to call it a day in his mixed martial arts (MMA) journey after competing professionally for over a decade.
The man known as “The Dentist” explained on his Instagram account that while he still feels he can compete at the age of 33, he has come to the painful realization that the sport simply isn’t paying enough to make it worth his time.
“Yes everyone, it hurts me to write this, but I think it’s time to call it a day. Not by choice, but I’m forced too because I’ve lost a lot to this game trying to survive, and I can’t do it no more,” he said. “When UFC let me go I should have invested something, but instead I put all my eggs in one basket AGAIN to get back to the top and life has gotten even worse.
“I’ve got family, and it’s not fair on them stressing just to keep food on the table. I love fighting, and I don’t want to call it as I’m only 33, but I’m not getting any help financially. Spoke about it a few times, so not going to go into it. Maybe I’ll get into boxing if it ever arises, but MMA? …..yeah I’m done,” added Stewart before saying that the decision to call it a career wasn’t easy.
“Brings tears writing this seriously, but it is what it is. I’ll still teach 1-2-1 or seminars and still do Jiu Jitsu here and there because I feel I can still pass knowledge on. But other than that, I need to go find the second job. Thanks for always supporting me those who have. Means a lot. I hope the next generation has learned a lot from me and my career,” he concluded.
Stewart competed for UFC from 2016 to 2021, amassing a 5-7-2 record during his run. After getting released by the promotion in Aug. 2021, “The Dentist” returned to his old stomping grounds at Cage Warriors and racked up four straight wins before suffering a knockout loss earlier this year.
Pay in MMA has long been a hot debate, which ultimately lead to an anti-trust lawsuit against UFC which seemed to be settled before a judge denied that ruling. As a result, the promotion will be headed back to court. That said, one former UFC veteran says if fighters feel they are not being compensated enough they only have themselves to blame.