Cathal Pendred has announced his retirement from UFC action to pursue interests outside the Octagon.
The 28-year-old was born in Boston but grew up in Dublin and won a Leinster Senior Cup rugby medal in 2005 in a Belvedere College team that also included Ireland internationals Cian Healy and Ian Keatley.
Pendred made his breakthrough in mixed martial arts by winning the Irish welterweight title in 2010 and went on to win 17 of 21 fights, losing his last encounter to a first-round knockout by England’s Tom Breese at the 3 Arena in October .
Pendred announced his retirement from competitive action through a statement on Twitter.
“I am a passionate person and I always give 100% to what I do. I have been passionate about MMA for a long time and my focus on the sport has been my driving force for the last nine years,” he said.
“I now find that my passion is no longer what it was and I feel that it is time for me to move on. I have other interests that I want to pursue. The time is right to close one door and open another. My love of MMA remains with me. I intend to maintain my involvement with the sport, but I no longer wish to compete.”
