UFC St. Petersburg: Sultan Aliev makes under-the-radar retirement announcement

After outworking veteran Keita Nakamura on Saturday, Sultan Aliev readied himself to make an important announcement. Then his post-fight interview ended.

That left the UFC’s backstage interviewer as the reporter of record for Aliev’s retirement, a declaration that seems as sudden the microphone takeaway in the octagon.

But according to the 34-year-old Aliev, who returned to action after an 11-month layoff, it’s a totally logical transition when you run out of fights, you need to support a family, and age catches up.

“This fight was the last on my contract with the UFC, so it was very important for me to win,” Aliev (15-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) said backstage at Yubileyniy Arena, which hosted his ESPN2-televised bout in St. Petersburg, Russia. “And it was much easier for me since I fought at home.

“Since that was the last fight on my contract, I’d like to retire from MMA. I’ve got a family and job – I just can’t find time for everything. And also I’m starting to feel my age.

“I did all this not only for my fans, but to test myself and push my limits. I am grateful to UFC for giving me this chance.”

Aliev ends his career with a 15-3 record. Although never a big star in the UFC, his reasons for retirement stand out because so many fighters go in the opposite direction. It’s just a shame he didn’t get to broadcast them on a bigger platform.

Then again, such is the fight game. It’s always on to the next thing.

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