(Undeniable proof that Stefan Struve is a reptilian shape-shifter. / Photo via Getty Images)
In the world of combat sports, there’s nothing sadder than a fighter who doesn’t know when to quit — who continues to risk his body and brain for diminishing paychecks, long after the fight business has chewed him up and spat him out. So in way, the recent news of Christian Morecraft’s retirement should be considered a happy ending, because at least he won’t end up a penniless vegetable. It’s the little victories, folks.
After kicking off his career with six consecutive first-round victories competing in Massachusetts for Reality Fighting and CFX, Christian Morecraft entered the UFC in 2010, where the 26-year-old heavyweight prospect went 1-3, including a submission victory over Sean McCorkle, and knockout losses against Stefan Struve, Matt Mitrione, and Pat Barry. Morecraft’s slugfest against Barry picked up Fight of the Night honors at UFC on FX 1, but he never returned to the Octagon. In fact the last bit of news we heard about him was when he picked up a drunk driving charge in September.
Yesterday, Morecraft posted the following on his Facebook page:
“Competing in the UFC is a tough job on many different levels — getting better, staying focused and all the other s— that life brings to you, and not to mention I still have to work a full-time job to support [myself] in the meantime. There [are] plenty of ‘ex professional athletes’ out there who are lost, broke and jobless when competing is over, so with that being said, [I am] trying to find an easier way to make a living and most importantly be happy … I’m saying GOODBYE TO THE FIGHT BUSINESS for right now. Nothing’s set in stone, because we all know that nothing in life is, but for now I’ve got some other matters to take care of. Thank you all for your support over the years. Thank you, and god bless everyone.”
Morecraft’s retirement reminds me of another husky heavyweight — former Bellator champ Cole Konrad, who stepped away from the sport last year in order to pursue better opportunities. In Konrad’s case, he already had a pretty sweet gig as a financial trader specializing in milk products lined up. We’re not sure if Morecraft’s future will be nearly as glamorous, but if he feels that the spartan life of a cage-fighter isn’t benefitting him anymore, then he might as well walk away now before his career starts to get truly depressing.
Thanks for the memories, Christian, and good luck on your journey…
