Felice Herrig, a seasoned UFC veteran, has recently decided to retire from combat sports, signaling the end of an illustrious career spanning various disciplines.
The 39-year-old athlete boasts a rich background in combat sports, initially starting as a kickboxer before transitioning to MMA in 2009. Throughout her career, she faced formidable opponents such as Carla Esparza, Michelle Waterson, and Alexa Grasso, leaving a lasting mark in the world of mixed martial arts.
Taking to her Instagram account, Herrig shared a reflective post announcing her retirement, citing her body’s response to training as a primary factor in her decision. She expressed that despite her love for intense training, her body struggled to recover, leaving her constantly fatigued and unwell. In her announcement, she stated:
“My body just keeps saying ‘No.’ As much as I love training hard and am able to get through practice, my body just doesn’t recover from it. I was constantly sick and spending any and all of my extra time just recovering for the next training session. Not really living my life.”
Having accumulated a wealth of experience in the sport, Herrig emphasized that she has paid her dues and no longer wishes to endure the physical toll of competitive fighting. Her retirement comes after an impressive 55 fights, marking the end of an era for the renowned fighter.
Despite her MMA career concluding with a four-fight losing streak, Herrig’s final chapter in combat sports concluded on a high note with a fourth-round knockout victory over Veronika Dmitriyeva in a professional boxing match last July.
