LAS VEGAS – UFC CEO Dana White would like to see multiple veteran fighters who competed at UFC 310 to call it a career.
The final pay-per-view event of 2024 at T-Mobile Arena hosted a variety of matchups, including fighters such as Clay Guida, who made his 37th walk to the UFC octagon, to Kai Asakura, who made a rare title shot debut in the main event.
Following the event, White was asked by a reporter about the future of veterans like Guida (38-25 MMA, 18-19 UFC), Anthony Smith, and Chris Weidman, who all not only failed to record a victory but were finished in their fights.
White’s answer was short and direct.
“They all retire tonight,” White replied at a post-event news conference. “They should all retire tonight.”
In the second fight of the early prelims, Guida was submitted by Chase Hooper in the first round. The matchup was the largest age gap in promotion history (Guida, 43; Hooper, 25). Guida, who is in the UFC Hall of Fame for his 2009 war against Diego Sanchez, has lost three straight fights.
Later on the prelims, former middleweight champion Weidman (16-8 MMA, 12-8 UFC) was grounded and pounded by Eryk Anders in a second-round TKO loss. Weidman, 40, entered on the heels of a win, but has not put together back-to-back victories since 2014-15. The former champ has gone 3-8 since his first career loss, which against Luke Rockhold at UFC 194.
Former light heavyweight title challenger Smith (37-21 MMA, 13-11 UFC) entered his fight against Dominick Reyes with heavy emotions due to the untimely death of his coach. Reyes dominated and finished the fight in the second round. Smith, 36, removed his gloves afterward, but would not commit to retirement.
When a fighter begins to talk retirement, White has typically encouraged the move. The UFC boss believes if a fighter has one foot out of the door, they should hang up the gloves because fighting in the UFC requires full commitment mentally and physically. He has also encouraged retirement when beloved fighters appear unable to compete at the same level.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.
