Irish mixed martial artist Joseph Duffy has announced his retirement from the sport after his third straight defeat in the octagon.
The Donegal fighter announced the news after losing to Joel Alvarez at UFC Fight Night 172 in Abu Dhabi.
The 32-year-old, who began his professional MMA career in 2008, had been troubled by rib problems of late.
In a post on his Instagram page, Duffy said he felt now was the right time to exit the octagon for the final time.
"Thank you all so much for all your messages of support all week. I have been blessed on this journey in MMA and am truly grateful for every experience.
"I felt great all through camp and even warming up, I believed I was back to my former self then when I went in there it just falls to pieces. I think it’s time to realize that I haven’t got what it takes any more.
"Congrats to Joel Alvarez and thank you to the UFC for all the opportunities.
"I’m sorry I didn’t achieve what I set out to achieve for my fans, family, friends and myself but it just wasn’t meant to be. I am officially retiring from MMA competition."
Duffy started out with the Cage Warriors organisation, before getting the nod to join Dana White's UFC five years ago.
Meanwhile, Ballymena fighter Rhys McKee is to make his UFC debut next weekend. He is set to take on Swedish opponent Khamzat Chimaev at just one weeks' notice.
McKee had told OTB Sports back in February that if he didn't make the UFC this year it would be a "massive failure."
Speaking before the coronavirus pandemic played havoc with the sports calendar, McKee said he was planning a big 2020.
“Anything short of that will be a massive failure in my eyes. This year is 'UFC year' for me.
“Whether that’s after May, I know they are coming to Belfast in September... I have ten wins, ten finishes, I can’t see how it wouldn’t be after May.
“If not it will definitely be after September, that will be the send-off. I’m preparing for May to be my last fight in the yellow gloves [of Cage Warriors]."
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