Matt Brown explains how UFC 300 snub finalized MMA retirement resolution

Matt Brown thought he would get a dream retirement state of affairs to finish his MMA profession. Sadly, it didn’t occur that approach.

Brown introduced Saturday that he was hanging up his UFC gloves after a 28-fight stint with the promotion through which he went 15-13 and racked up a variety of notable information, together with most knockout wins within the storied historical past of the welterweight division.

“The Immortal” hadn’t fought since Might 2023 and was severely mulling strolling away for a while. Nevertheless, he hung onto the concept he might have one final dance on the monumental UFC 300 card final month in Las Vegas. Brown stated he was anticipating to get a contract to struggle Jim Miller in what can be his retirement struggle, however the promotion determined to guide Miller towards Bobby Inexperienced as an alternative, and that marked the nail within the coffin for Brown’s resolution.

“The one factor I used to be actually holding off for was I assumed I used to be going to get on UFC 300 and struggle Jim Miller, and I used to be going to make use of that for my sendoff,” Brown instructed MMA Junkie Radio on Monday. “I used to be fairly useless set on that: I’m going to struggle Jim Miller at UFC 300, this might be probably the most badass sendoff ever combating such a legend like Jim Miller on the largest card in UFC historical past, and so they didn’t make it occur. So I used to be like, ‘Properly, f*ck it then.’

“I’m not bitter by any means, but when there’s something that rubbed me the improper approach it’s that I wasn’t capable of get on 300, as a result of that’s how I needed to finish it. I begged to get on 100. I begged to get on 200. I begged to get on 300. I used to be like, ‘Dude, haven’t I earned one thing but.’ I attempted every little thing I might, and I assumed it was set in stone. I used to be actually coaching to struggle Jim Miller. He stated he needed to struggle me; I stated I needed to struggle him. I assumed all of the playing cards had been in place, and I assumed it was going to be a simple name, after which it didn’t occur. It will’ve been the right sendoff for me. I’m certain UFC has their causes, no matter they’re.”

‘No bitterness’ towards UFC

Brown clarified that he has “no bitterness in any respect” towards the UFC brass and emphasised he was handled properly all through his almost 16-year tenure with the corporate. The truth is, he was provided a struggle towards Max Griffin just lately for an upcoming occasion, however by the point the proposal got here by way of, he’d already mentally exited from the concept of competitors.

“The UFC did make me a proposal a number of months in the past for a struggle,” Brown stated. “I bear in mind I wakened one morning and I noticed the e-mail, and my d*ck didn’t get onerous. I didn’t get a sense down my backbone. I wasn’t excited. I used to be like, ‘Man, I might use that cash. That’d be cool.’ However I simply didn’t get fired up about it. That was most likely the very first thing. Then, secondly, (I’ve been) flipping homes and operating a gymnasium now. I’ve a very good crew of individuals and employees in my gymnasium. I actually really feel like I’m promoting these individuals quick as a result of I’ve been combating, and these companies should not rising to the extent they may as a result of I’m not placing that sort of power into it.

“I’m simply going for that fast buck, going and earning profits combating. My guys in my gymnasium have been with me for the six years I’ve owned it. They’ve gotten very small raises the entire time. I really feel like I could make much more cash, not just for myself however for them additionally. We’ve a variety of prospects I don’t actually get to hang around with and converse to. I simply really feel like I’m feeling lots of people quick, together with my household. My kids – the power to be current with them and the power to spend extra time with them, issues like that.”

Might 13, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Matt Brown (crimson gloves) celebrates after defeating Courtroom McGee (blue gloves) in a welterweight bout throughout UFC Combat Evening at Spectrum Heart. Necessary Credit score: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports activities

Combating outdoors of MMA?

At 43, Brown struggles to see a path again to combating in his future, although he didn’t utterly rule it out. The thought of combating within the UFC is over, he stated, and he’s already been withdrawn from the Drug Free Sport drug-testing pool.

Brown stated he’s open to provides from non-MMA entities, however the {dollars} need to make sense.

“It’s not out of the query,” Brown stated. “I’ve talked slightly bit with these individuals (at BKFC). It’s not utterly out of the query. Bareknuckle doesn’t excite me a ton as a result of it’s simply boxing with the fingers, which doesn’t excite me a ton. However clearly I’m not going to show down an enormous payday. I want there was like a muay Thai promotion that will pay that sort of cash, like a ONE Championship or one thing. That’s what makes me fired up probably the most is muay Thai. That’s what I like doing probably the most. I wouldn’t say it’s utterly out of the query. However my mindset shouldn’t be actually within the combating mindset proper now. It’s actually within the enterprise mindset.

“If the quantity was proper, and I don’t suppose any of those locations will give me that quantity. If it was Floyd Mayweather or one thing and get $5 million, $6 million like, after all, I’m not going to show that down. However something beneath $1 million doesn’t even actually make sense to me.”