UFC fighters Zak Cummings and Ed Herman both retired in the octagon just moments after their entertaining fight in Kansas City.
Cummings, 38, went out in style as he knocked out Herman, 42, on the undercard of the event headlined by Arnold Allen's featherweight clash against former champion Max Holloway. Cummings dropped Herman several times in the fight and eventually found the knockout in the final round after landing a left hand that floored his opponent.
The Kansas City crowd then erupted in support of their hometown fighter Cummings, as a dejected Herman signalled at retirement after the fight by taking his gloves off. Cummings surprised fans during his post-fight interview by also taking his gloves off to announce his retirement despite the impressive win.
"Thank you guys so much for all the support," Cummings said after his win. "I started my professional career in Missouri and fought in Kansas when the UFC came six years ago. Now I got to fight here again six years later to the date. I've got one fight left on my contract, but I can't think of a better way to go out in front of this crowd.
I didn't make it to a world champion, but I've got three wins by finish in three different weight classes in the UFC and that's something hardly anybody has accomplished. I wasn't sure if I could do this again because of injuries, but my little girl looked at me and said 'Daddy I want to see you fight', I said this is who daddy is."
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Cummings made his UFC debut a decade ago and ends his professional career with a respectable record of 25-7. The 38-year-old failed to ever reach title contention during his UFC tenure but, like Herman, was a gritty veteran with some impressive stoppage wins under his belt. Herman had the chance to address the Kansas City crowd after his defeat and he thanked fans in attendance for their support.
"Big congratulations to Zak what a way for him to go out in front of his hometown," Herman said. "I just want to thank the UFC, the fans and everybody who has supported me in the last 17 years. I've got my kids here for the first time but don't worry guys, dad is ok. It's been a hell of a career but I think I'm going to hang them up here in this cage in Kansas City."
