Inaugural UFC Champ Done ‘Begging’ For Farewell Fight, Abruptly Retires From MMA

“The Iron Lady” has called it a career.

Today (Thurs., Oct. 31, 2024), inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Women’s Featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie announced her retirement from mixed martial arts (MMA) at the age of 40.

Hey guys,

With so many mixed feelings I’m sharing this message with you guys. I definitely didn’t plan or envisioned/dreamed it this way, but hey it is what it is sometimes. I begged the UFC for 1 more fight. But it had to be this year. I promised myself I would retire from fighting December 31st 2024. Unfortunately the UFC told me all cards are fully booked.

That’s why I decided that the time is now. I really wished I could have walked the walk one more time. But I guess it was not meant to be. To many people to thank personally so thank you all for being a part of my journey. Thank you for all the amazing memories. I’m forever grateful for all of them. Like I always say, “DIE WITH MEMORIES, NOT DREAMS”

The Ironlady has left the building ushhh

It is unfortunate that UFC could not find her a fight on any of the remaining 2024 cards. MMAMania.com can confirm she was offered a fight on Jan. 2025 against Jacqueline Cavalcanti, but it did not meet her deadline.

Nevertheless, De Randamie ends her UFC career with a 7-3 record and two Performance of the Night bonuses, including choking Julianna Pena unconscious (watch highlights). She won the inaugural UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship at UFC 208 against Holly Holm (in controversial fashion) but was stripped of the title because she did not want to fight Cris Cyborg.

“The Iron Lady” would get another title shot but down a division in Bantamweight against Amanda Nunes. However, she ended up losing a unanimous decision at UFC 245.

After a four-year layoff, De Randamie’s final UFC fight came against Norma Dumont earlier this year. She lost via unanimous decision.