Chris Carioso retires
“I’ve decided after 22 years of active fighting to call it a career. It’s a bittersweet decision, as fighting and competing in a ring or cage is about all that I have known for a lifetime.”
Chris Cariaso fought in the UFC 13 times, and twice in WEC before that, and now.he is done at age 34. He started in martial arts with Muay Thai, at age 11, and has been competing in MMA since 2006.
The Filipino American competed at flyweight and bantamweight, and retires with a lifetime record of 25-8 in MMA. He fought for the UFC flyweight title vs. Demetrious Johnson, losing to arguably the best fighter in the sport via submission in the second.
I’ve decided after 22 years of active fighting to call it a career, said Cariaso to John Morgan for MMAjunkie. It’s a bittersweet decision, as fighting and competing in a ring or cage is about all that I have known for a lifetime.
The last four-and-a-half years fighting under the umbrella of Zuffa have been nothing short of amazing. I have so many memories and have been able to travel the world doing what I love best. Honestly, my life is what many only get to dream about and I have to thank so many people for making dreams a reality to me.
I own two gyms (Tucson, AZ’s Rise Combat Sports, and San Francisco, CA’s Fight and Fitness), and I have so many talented fighters on their way up that I feel it is selfish for me to continue. The fighters I have are headed to greatness, and I want to be there for them 100 percent.
I have two amazing kids that I want to be there for. I don’t want to miss soccer games and school performances anymore. I want to take my boys to the BMX track, I want to go camping, and I want to start living more for my family.
I’m excited for this next chapter in my life. I’m young still, and I’m healthy still, and I feel that this is the right time to retire. I have so much more to offer the world as a trainer, entrepreneur and father.
The UnderGround wishes Cariaso the very best, and offers profound thanks for all the tremendous fights.