Quinn Mulhern Retires From MMA Following Loss at UFC Fight Night 34

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After a 22-fight professional career, Quinn Mulhern is retiring from mixed martial arts at the age of 29.

The Jackson’s MMA product recently announced his decision via Facebook. Mulhern lost a unanimous decision to Katsunori Kikuno at UFC Fight Night 34 in Singapore on Saturday. It was his first appearance at 155 pounds after competing at welterweight for the majority of his career.

The dust hasn't settled exactly so I wouldn't normally do this now...but it feels like it's the right time: I am retiring from MMA,” Mulhern wrote. “This camp was as perfect as they come. Everything fell into place, mentally, physically...my weight cut was a success. I got to a place of mental focus where I have never been before. But when I got in the cage I just didn't have it. It wasn't nerves, I didn't freeze...I just didn't have the physical gifts or skill the win. Bottom line is that I could put in years of continued work but I won't be competitive at this level. Perhaps I'd get quite a bit better, but I think if rather spend that time on something new. I feel this in my bones.”

Mulhern began his professional career in 2007, winning 15 of his first 16 bouts en route to capturing the King of the Cage welterweight crown. The Santa Fe, N.M., native debuted with Strikeforce in June 2011, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Jason High at Strikeforce Challengers 16. He would win his next three fights with the now-defunct promotion before moving on to the UFC, where he lost to Rick Story at UFC 158 before dropping to 155 pounds for his meeting with Kikuno.

Despite having a significant height and reach advantage, Mulhern resorted to pulling guard for much of the encounter and was unable to mount any significant offense as Kikuno swept the scorecards by identical 30-27 counts. Mulhern leaves the sport with an 18-4 overall mark.

“So this is not a tantrum of self-pity. In fact, I feel very clear and good about this decision. I'm so grateful to have done what I've done. I've gotten to travel all over the world and to fight professionally over twenty times. But this is it,” he wrote.