AJ Cunningham posted a video on social media to announce the top of his profession.
Several fighters have recently parted ways with the UFC in a string of roster cuts for various reasons.
Javid Basharat said he’s happy with what he completed within the promotion when speaking on social media about his surprising exit after going 4-2 within the bantamweight division.
One other fighter in the identical weight class shall be joining ‘The Snow Leopard’ on his way out but for very different reasons.
Whereas Basharat wasn’t re-signed after his contract expired, a distinct athlete’s hand was forced as a result of his current health.
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AJ Cunningham pronounces his retirement before ranting about people wanting to regulate him
After losing on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2023, a bounce-back win earned AJ Cunningham one other UFC opportunity the next 12 months.
A brief-notice bout against L’udovit Klein was all the time going to be an uphill battle nevertheless it no less than got the American’s foot within the door despite him suffering a knockout loss in the primary round.
Cunningham dropped down two weight classes after meeting Klein at lightweight but was unable to record his first win contained in the Octagon.
He hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision defeat to Su Young Ku last March and has now explained why in a video posted on social media.
The 31-year-old announced that he’s retiring from MMA as a result of an injury that he hasn’t been capable of come back from.
“Hey guys, it’s with an incredible deal of sadness that I shall be announcing my retirement from the UFC and the game of MMA overall,” he said. “I ruptured a disc in my back back in August and unfortunately, it has not healed properly where I can compete and even train at the extent I want to to win fights. I’m grateful for every little thing. I’m grateful that I used to be capable of make the walk 31 times with my amateur and pro profession combined.”
Cunningham went on to thank Dana White and the UFC for the opportunities he was given and admitted being disenchanted about going 0-2 contained in the Octagon, before his video became an act of defiance against individuals who need to tell him what to say and do.
“I’m gonna be me, man, until the top,” he added. “God bless you all, take care and I’ll keep you updated on what comes next.”
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AJ Cunningham’s UFC run was defined by his incredibly controversial social media posts
The ending of AJ Cunningham’s retirement video was far more consistent with what’s going to likely be the lasting memory from his time within the UFC.
An emotional message to his supporters quickly modified to him wearing a Burger King crown while laughing about people attempting to shame him for things that he’s said.
Last 12 months, Cunningham deleted his Instagram account after people unsurprisingly questioned him for posting incredibly controversial things on his platforms.
His run within the UFC became more well-known after he remained on the roster despite this, moderately than what he actually did contained in the Octagon.