Rafael Natal retires at age 34, plans to open multiple academies
Rafael Natal: “My mom is happy for this decision. She asked this from me for a long time.”
UFC middleweight Rafael Natal appeared recently on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, and unexpectedly announced his retirement.
I come here today to make this announcement, he said, as transcribed by MMA Weekly. Yes [I am officially retiring from MMA]. It’s very hard. It’s a long journey. I love the MMA.
It’s time to step back. It’s been a hard decision. I am just open a huge school in Brazil now and I plan to open here in New York, too.”
My mom is happy for this decision. She asked this from me for a long time.
The instructor at Renzo Gracie’s academy in New York came to the UFC from Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat, which is famed for ushering fighters into the big show. He began in the UFC with a respectable 3-2-1 record before hitting his stride and winning three in a row, capped by beating Tor Troeng in the Fight of the Night.
Then he lost to Tim Kennedy and Ed Herman, but again found his groove, and it was a badass one – Natal beat Chris Camozzi, Tom Watson, Uriah Hall, and Kevin Casey in a row. Unfortunately, he dropped the next three, losing a decision to Robert Whittaker, getting KOed by Tim Boetsch, and most recently a KO to the undefeated Eryk Anders.
Now he is retiring to devote his life to teaching in Brazil and the US. The UnderGround wishes his good luck and Godspeed in all his future endeavors.