“Judo” Jim Wallhead is asking it a profession.
The 39-year-old UFC and Bellator veteran had tears in his eyes as he laid down his gloves within the cage and introduced his retirement following a loss to Rhys McKee at Cage Warriors 153 on Saturday.
“It’s time,” Wallhead stated within the cage. “It’s time to get residence to my spouse and youngsters.”
He truly made the announcement to Dan Hardy, who was calling the fights but in addition occurs to be a longtime teammate and coaching associate of Wallhead through the years. It was an understandably emotional second for him after spending the previous 18 years as knowledgeable fighter with bouts throughout a number of main promotions in his profession.
After he initially received launched to judo accidentally when he thought he was signing up for a karate class, Wallhead grew to become a multi-time champion in his native England earlier than making the transition into MMA.
He fought an extended checklist of high regional expertise earlier than making his strategy to Bellator in 2010. Wallhead ultimately received to the UFC as properly however for under two fights earlier than he left the group following back-to-back losses to Luan Chagas and Jessin Ayari between 2016 and 2017.
Throughout the course of his profession, Wallhead picked up a numer of spectacular wins together with victories over Frank Trigg, Joey Villasenor and Matt Veach.
He retires with a 33-12 file general.
