Former UFC fighter Felice Herrig, 39, has formally retired from fight sports activities competitors. “Lil’ Bulldog’s” announcement got here Friday afternoon and simply seven months after her final battle, when she defeated Nekah Dmitriyeva in a boxing bout in July 2023.
Herrig retired from MMA in 2022 after shedding to Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC Vegas 56, however then it was introduced that she had signed to Naked Knuckle Combating Championship. Though she by no means competed for BKFC, Herrig continued to coach after which had the boxing competitors final summer time.
She was a pioneer in ladies’s MMA, competing in a number of fight sports activities for numerous promotions earlier than turning into a star on the Final Fighter Season 20.
“Man what an honor,” Herrig wrote on Instagram.“After 20 years of competing in fight sports activities. Competing professionally In boxing , kickboxing , Muay Thai and mma. I’ve formally determined to retire.
“I’ve so many fond reminiscences of this sport. From competing on the primary All feminine combating actuality present , Battle Ladies to the primary all feminine season of #theultimatefighter
I’ve fought in Thailand and Japan. Competed in Chuck Norris’s World fight league.
“Racked up numerous kickboxing and Muay Thai titles. Hosted my very own television present and was part of the primary online game to characteristic feminine mma fighters.
“I used to be fortunate sufficient to be part of the primary set of feminine strawweights to ever compete within the UFC
“I’ve met so many superb individuals alongside the best way and it’s been an exquisite factor watching this sport develop a lot for ladies. Particularly since once I first began individuals at all times instructed me I had no future on this sport. Promotors by no means even needed to place ladies on their battle playing cards as a result of they thought it was some sort of freak present.
“This determination didn’t come frivolously. After deciding to retire from mma I had hopes of ending off my profession with my first real love of boxing
“Nevertheless, My physique simply retains saying “ No” as a lot as I like coaching laborious and am in a position to get via practices , my physique simply doesn’t get well from it. I used to be always sick and spending any and all of my additional time simply recovering for the following coaching session.“Probably not residing my life. I’ve paid my dues on this sport and I don’t wish to proceed to be depressing from it any longer.
“Earlier than deciding to name it quits I took just a few months off of coaching to see how my physique would react and it truly feels superb. I’ve not been sick and I’m not in ache and drained daily.I’ve determined to take heed to my physique and benefit from the life I’ve labored so laborious to get.
“I’m formally retiring at Battle # 55”
