Josh Koscheck retires at age 40, says ‘I didn’t have it any more’

Josh Koscheck confirmed that he has retired at the age of 40. The news came during an appearance on The Luke Thomas Show today.

Well, Josh Koscheck just told me he's officially retired on #TLTS.

— Luke Thomas🏋️‍♀️ (@lthomasnews) June 28, 2018

.@JoshKoscheck confirms to @lthomasnews that he is officially retired #TLTS pic.twitter.com/g0BIdMI0VZ

— MMA on SiriusXM (@MMAonSiriusXM) June 28, 2018

You never know, I might come back some day, said Koscheck, as transcribed by Jed Meshew for MMA Fighting. The biggest thing about my mixed martial arts career, at the ending it didn’t go the way I wanted. It’s almost like you kind of just lose it, and it pains me to say that. It really, truly pains me as a fighter because I have a big ego – everybody that steps inside that cage has a big ego – but I truly didn’t have it. I couldn’t go out there and compete with these young guys. I felt great in the gym. I was in great shape. I don’t think I was ever in better shape than I was at 38, 39, and 40, but I just didn’t have it.

Koscheck retires from MMA with 17-11 record, including a 15-10 record in the UFC.

Koscheck was a four-time Div I all American and national champion prior to starting MMA in 2004. After winning two fights he entered The Ultimate Fighter 1, losing in the semi finals to Diego Sanchez. By 2010 he was 15-4 and in a rematch challenged Georges St-Pierre for the UFC welterweight championship. GSP took the Unanimous Decision in the Fight of the Night, but Koscheck rebounded with wins over Mike Pierce and Matt Hughes.

However, he thereafter went 0-6, vs. a murder’s row.

First was a split decision loss to Johny Hendricks. Then an early TKO to Robbie Lawler. Then an early KO to Tyron Woodley. Then he got tapped by Jake Ellenberger and Erick Silva and was released.

Koscheck signed with Bellator but did not fight for two years, losing via TKO to Mauricio Alonso TKO at Bellator 172 on February 18, 2017.

And now he’s done, at least for now. Koscheck leaves with a17-11 record (15-10 record in the UFC). Career wins include Matt Hughes, Anthony Johnson, Frank Trigg, and Paul Daley.

This follows other high-level retirements in the past week including Johny Hendricks and Rashad Evans. While fans will no longer thrill to watching Hendricks, Evans, and Koscheck fight, MMA is hurting game, and when a fighter retires intact, it’s a moment of respect and celebration as well.