Former WEC, UFC veteran Takeya Mizugaki retires at 36
Long-time UFC and WEC veteran Takeya Mizugaki is calling it quits.
Mizugaki’s retirement statement.
First reported by MMA Planet on Tuesday, June 2, the 36-year-old is retiring from the cage for good. In translation, his retirement message reads as follows.
“I decided to retire from my career as an athlete. With the defeat in August last year, trying to reach the top of the world again with UFC became unrealistic for me. As soon as I gave up the goal of becoming the best in the world, I could not create the feeling of going to the match at once.
Of course, I still love MMA. However, I can no longer aim for number one as a player. Since my debut in 2005, I have been supported and supported by many people for 15 years. Thank you very much.
I couldn’t achieve what I was aiming for. … However, what I can still say with confidence is that it was really good. I had the best fighter life.
I have been teaching martial arts and training since January of this year. People who have never done martial arts enjoy martial arts. I would like to continue to be involved with MMA. Thank you for 15 years.”
Through the years
With a record of 23-14-2, Mizugaki most recently suffered second-round knockout to Manel Kape at RIZIN 18 in August 2019. It snapped a two-fight win streak for the Japanese fighter.
Takeya Mizugaki is a 14-time UFC veteran, competing inside the octagon from 2011-2016. Starting in November of 2012, Mizugaki rattled off five-straight victories, eventually falling by first-round TKO to Dominick Cruz at UFC 178 in September 2014.
He came over from the WEC, when the Zuffa-owned promotion was absorbed by the UFC in 2010.
Mizugaki competed just five times for the WEC, but was a part of some classic fights. He fought Miguel Torres for the bantamweight strap, losing by unanimous decision at WEC 40 in April 2009.
He also squeezed out a split decision over Jeff Curran at WEC 42 in August 2009. Mizugaki remained at the top of his division for quite some time, mixing it up with the likes of Urijah Faber, Eddie Wineland, Aljamain Sterling, Cody Garbandt, Cruz and Torres.
