Akira Corassani Announces Retirement From MMA
UFC featherweight Akira Corassani teased retirement from the sport of MMA following his knockout loss to Sam Sicilia at last Saturday’s (January 24, 2015) UFC on FOX 14 event from his native Sweden.
After suffering three knockout losses in a row, the gritty Swedish boxer has decided to call it quits on his MMA career, announcing a heartfelt retirement via his Facebook page:
I got into to this to challenge myself, get kicks and thrills and live life as close to Van Damme in Bloodsport as possible. I was 22 years old working at a factory confused and bored when I made a bet with my co-workers to become a fighter. They laughed and I said WATCH! I did it all and holy smoke what an adventure it has been. I feel like I could write at least 8 books about my journey, the behind the scenes stuff and other craziness. If I found lamp today and rubbed it and a genie popped out and asked me to make a wish I would say “I wish every human being on earth could experience everything I have. Along the way I never thought of how many people I’d inspired, entertained and upset (mostly keyboard warriors). It is with deep joy I write this, I am full and content and I would never want to change a single thing. My brain has filed for a divorce and doesn’t want to cooperate anymore. The passion and the technique is there but every car has a date (except for the Swedish Volvo 740). I feel like I have so much to share, show and talk about and I will in the future… From the bottom of my heart… THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WONDERFUL 12 YEARS AND I TRULY LOVE AND APPRECIATE THAT YOU TUNED IN. It was all my pleasure folks. I salute you, THE END!?
Corassani left the door open for a potential return, but at this point, he’s probably right to retire from the sport. Knockout losses are mounting, and there’s not much of a chance that he’ll ever become a top contender in the currently stacked featherweight division.
He started out his career at light heavyweight and eventually fought through welterweight, lightweight, and finally featherweight. Each of his six losses came by some form of T/KO, making his decision to take a step back an intelligent one.
He could go on to become a coach and ambassador for blossoming MMA fighters in his native Sweden, and he always provided exciting bouts for the fans ever since he made his way to the UFC following a stint on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 14 in late 2011.
