MMA is a constantly evolving sport with a revolving door of athletes entering and exiting. As time goes on, the fighters from the era who helped make the sport so popular continue to trickle away from competition and hang up their gloves in order to move on to the next chapter in life.

If there’s one thing that’s well known about combat sports retirements, though, it’s that they often don’t last long. The urge to compete, and perhaps more importantly get a payday, will continue to drive fighters back even well beyond their expiration dates.

2026 already has seen a number of notable fighters announcing they are done with the sport, and we have a list of those who have opted to walk away this year

*This list will update as new retirements are announced*

Jillian DeCoursey

• MMA debut date: Sept. 27, 2014
• Retirement date: Jan. 22, 2026
• Age: 41
• Record: 6-4
• Source: Social media announcement

Josh Parisian

• MMA debut date: Nov. 22, 2014
• Retirement date: Jan. 31, 2026
• Age: 36
• Record: 16-9
• Source:In-cage announcement at OKTAGON 83

Ramazan Kuramagomedov

• MMA debut date: Aug. 30, 2014
• Retirement date: Feb. 7, 2016
• Age: 29
• Record: 14-0
• Notable wins: Shamil Musaev and Jason Jackson
• Source: In-cage announcement at PFL Dubai

Gavin Tucker

• MMA debut date: Feb. 19, 2011
• Retirement date: Feb. 26, 2026
• Age: 39
• Record: 13-3
• Notable wins: Billy Quarantillo and Sam Sicilia
• Source: Confirmation from Tucker’s team

Eryk Anders

• MMA debut date: Aug. 22, 2015
• Retirement date: March 14, 2026
• Age: 38
• Record: 18-9 with one no contest
• Notable wins: Brad Tavares, Chris Weidman and Brendan Allen
• Source: In-cage announcement at UFC Fight Night 269

Michael Chiesa

• MMA debut date: Oct. 30, 2010
• Retirement date: March 28, 2026
• Age: 38
• Record: 20-7
• Notable wins: Tony Ferguson, Neil Magny, Rafael dos Anjos, Diego Sanchez, Carlos Condit, Beneil Dariush, Jim Miller and Al Iaquinta
• Source: In-cage announcement at UFC Fight Night 271

Niko Price

• MMA debut date: Feb. 17, 2012
• Retirement date: March 28, 2026
• Age: 36
• Record: 16-11
• Notable wins: Alex Morono, James Vick, Randy Brown and Alan Jouban
• Source: In-cage announcement at UFC Fight Night 271

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: 2026 MMA retirement tracker: A list of those who hung up the gloves