On Tuesday morning, November 25, Pendred took to Twitter to announce he would stepping away from the sport of mixed martial arts. The time is right to close on door and open another.
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One of the most experienced Irish fighters on the UFC roster has hung up his gloves. “I do think the health food industry is growing, and that’s where the future is”.
The 28-year-old finishes his career with a 17-4-1 record that included an eight fight winning streak, including his first four bouts in the UFC.
The Notorious even had a dig at drug cheats in the sport stating: “3 of those wins coming against opponents who failed post fight drug tests due to use of Performance Enhancing Drugs after the fight!” Often derided by hardcore fans for a clinch-heavy style, he’s also won several controversial decisions in the octagon.
Pendred competed in the Ultimate Fighter in 2014, getting eliminated at the semi-final stage – but his then record of 12 wins, one loss and one draw saw him earn a UFC contract.
“I am a passionate person and I always give 100% to what I do”, Pendred wrote.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Pendred said that after nine years in the sport, his passion for MMA “is no longer what it was”.
“I now find that my passion is no longer what it was and I feel that it is time for me to move on”, he said. I have other interests that I want to pursue.
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After that bout, Pendred moved to welterweight, the division at which he fought most of his UFC bouts and originally found MMA success in Great Britain’s Cage Warriors organization, where he was welterweight champion before trying out for TUF.
