After the UFC announced that injury was forcing Brian Melancon (7-3) to withdraw from a scheduled UFC Fight Night 33 bout with Robert Whittaker, Melancon has announced that he is retiring from MMA.
Melancon announced the retirement due to recurring kidney issues.
“ I am sad to say that my fight career is over. I have been having kidney problems that have gotten much worse recently and just found out that my kidney function has dropped to 47%. If I continue to train, fight, and cut weight then I run the risk of permanent damage. I have been advised by my Specialist to retire and move on and that is what I will be doing. This is not how I wanted to go out, but I have to believe that God has another path for me. Thanks to all of you who supported me throughout my career.”
Melancon started his career off 3-0 with 3, 1st round stoppages, before suffering a decision loss to Adam Schindler. After back to back wins under the Legacy FC banner, Melancon would debut in Strikeforce losing a split decision to Isaac Vallie-Flagg. Melancon would rebound with a unanimous decision win over Felipe Portela at a Strikeforce Challengers 19. After being sidelined for 22 months Melancon debut in the octagon at UFC 162 with a 1st round knockout of Seth Baczynski. Most recently Melancon was submitted by Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Fight Night 27. Melancon ends his career having 5 stoppages all in the 1st round and 4 of 5 by (T)KO.
