Melancon Retires at 31

Brian Melancon’s quest to make it to the UFC was one of the feel-good stories of the year, capped off by a knockout win over Seth Baczynski at UFC 162 in July. But after withdrawing from a December bout with Robert Whittaker in Brisbane, Australia, the Texan revealed that he has chosen to end his MMA career on the recommendation of doctors due to kidney issues.

“I am sad to say that my fight career is over,” Melancon posted on Facebook Wednesday. “I have been having kidney problems that have gotten much worse recently and just found out that my kidney function has dropped to 47%. If I continue to train, fight, and cut weight then I run the risk of permanent damage. I have been advised by my Specialist to retire and move on and that is what I will be doing. This is not how I wanted to go out, but I have to believe that God has another path for me. Thanks to all of you who supported me throughout my career.”

The 31-year-old Melancon, who will return to his full-time job as a physical therapist, retires with a 7-3 MMA record that includes a 1-1 UFC slate.