Quinn Mulhern Retires Following UFC Fight Night 34 Loss

Quinn Mulhern Retires Following UFC Fight Night 34 Loss
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

29 year old UFC, Strikeforce and King of the Cage veteran, Quinn Mulhern has retired from MMA following a unanimous decision (30-27) loss to Katsunori Kikuno at Saturdays UFC Fight Night 34 in Singapore.

A veteran of 22 pro fights, Mulhern (18-4) made his professional debut in 2007 and is most known for unifying the King of the Cage World and Canadian Welterweight titles.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Mulhern unified the KOTC titles in 2010 before signing for Strikefore where he amassed a 3-1 record including a split decision victory over  Yuri Villefort.

Mulhern signed for the UFC at the beginning of 2013 following the collapse of Strikeforce, and made his UFC debut against Rick Story at UFC 158 where he was knockout in the first round.

Following the loss to Story, Mulhern dropped to lightweight to face Kikuno in Singapore. According to Mulhern his camp went well for his  fight Kikuno, but the loss has made him realised he just “won’t be competitive at this level.”

Mulhern releases the following statement regarding his retirement though his Facebook page:

Hey guys. First, just let me express how grateful I am for the love and support of a whole community of people. Especially those folks who have been with me from the beginning of my MMA career. I love you all, thank you.

The dust hasn’t settled exactly so I wouldn’t normally do this now…but it feels like it’s the right time: I am retiring from MMA.

This camp was as perfect as they come. Everything fell into place, mentally, physically…my weight cut was a success. I got to a place of mental focus where I have never been before. But when I got in the cage I just didn’t have it. It wasn’t nerves, I didn’t freeze…I just didn’t have the physical gifts or skill the win. Bottom line is that I could put in years of continued work but I won’t be competitive at this level. Perhaps I’d get quite a bit better, but I think if rather spend that time on something new. I feel this in my bones.

So this is not a tantrum of self-pity. In fact, I feel very clear and good about this decision. I’m so grateful to have done what I’ve done. I’ve gotten to travel all over the world and to fight professionally over twenty times. But this is it.

Now what to do next is the question. I’ll leave that alone for a while. But I’m hopeful and excited for the next step.

The phrase that was the theme of my training camp was “All in due time.” I think that phrase is quite fitting, even now.

Love.
Quinn

Al Iaquinta replaces injured Quinn Mulhern and takes on Ryan Couture at UFC 164

Another injury forces more changes to UFC 164

By Tom Rooney @oldmanrooney

Ryan Couture (6-2-0) will now face TUF Live finalist Al Iaquinta (5-2-1) at UFC 164 after his original opponent Quinn Mulhern (18-3-0) announced on Tuesday that he had sustained a fractured hand and would be unable to compete.

The lightweight bout is scheduled for the undercard of UFC 164, which will be headlined by 155lbs title-fight between Benson Henderson and Anthony Petits in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday, August 31st.

Couture, who lost his Octagon debut against Ross Pearson via KO at UFC Sweden in April, was part of the migration of fighters from Strikeforce after it was absorbed by Zuffa. Prior to his loss to Pearson, he was on a four fight win-streak, which he will need to resume with haste or he may be joining his errant father at Bellator.

Iaquinta, a member of Team Faber on TUF LIVE, has not fought in the UFC since the series finale in June 2012, when was submitted in the first round by Michael Chiesa.