Brittney Palmer retires after winning ‘octagon girl of the year’ at World MMA Awards 2023
Brittney Palmer laid down her octagon girl shorts on Thursday after announcing her retirement from the UFC.
A longtime ring card girl in the now-defunct WEC and UFC, Palmer made the announcement while accepting the award for “best octagon girl” at the World MMA Awards 2023.
UFC 296, which takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, will serve as Palmer’s last trips around the octagon after more than a decade of work.
“I truly am honored to accept this award,” she said. “Thank you to the UFC, Fighter’s Only, and all the fans who voted for me. Well, there’s no better time to say it. But after 16 years with UFC, I’ve decided to retire. This weekend will be my last event, and I’m so absolutely grateful for this unforgettable experience.”
Palmer first appeared in the WEC and then transitioned to the UFC when the former’s talent base was folded into the latter. Along with Arianny Celeste, another multi-time award winner at the World MMA Awards, she became a regular fixture alongside the octagon and appeared in magazines and other programming while promoting the UFC. In 2012, she graced the cover of Playboy magazine.
In addition to her work with the UFC, Palmer is an avid artist whose work includes murals and paintings. Palmer left the promotion to pursue a career in art, and in 2011 she won a fan vote held by now-UFC CEO Dana White for the octagon girl fans most wanted to see back in the UFC.