Zak Cummings and Ed Herman provided one of the most emotionally-charged post-fight moments in recent memory on Saturday when they both retired from MMA at the conclusion of their UFC on ESPN 44 bout.
Cummings (25-8 MMA, 10-4 UFC) landed three knockdowns of Herman (26-16 MMA, 13-12 UFC) en route to a third-round TKO of the bout, which took place in his home state of Missouri at T-Mobile Center. The result made Cummings the 17th fighter in UFC history to earn victories in three weight classes, and it marked his return to competition from a career-long layoff.
Double retirement.
Not something you'll see every day #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/7uFP3e8K9J
— UFC (@ufc) April 16, 2023
At the conclusion of the fight, both men started to take off their gloves. Cummings’ daughter then entered the octagon and he came to tears, announcing his career, which began in November 2007, was done.
“I started this pro career in Missouri,” Cummings said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “I fought here six years ago when the UFC came. Six years ago to the day, I get to do it again. You guys showed out. I love you guys. I could not be more grateful …. I got two fights on my contract. I’ve got one left. I can’t think of a better way to go out than in front of this crowd of you guys.”
What a way to go out! 🙌
In front of his hometown crowd, @ZakCummings calls it quits on a great MMA career #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/tTe3lv3PZA
— UFC (@ufc) April 16, 2023
After Cormier finished his interview with Cummings, he went over to Herman, who had already taken his gloves off. “The Ultimate Fighter 3” finalist entered the event as the longest-tenured fighter on the UFC roster going back to his debut in 2006. At 42 and with back-to-back losses, though, his time was up.
“Congratulations Zak – what a way to go out in front of your crowd,” Herman said. “I want to thank the UFC, fans and everyone else for the support over the last 17 years. I think I’m going to hang them up here in this cage.”
Thank you to the Short Fuse 🙌@EdHermanUFC announces his retirement after a hard fought battle at #UFCKansasCity! pic.twitter.com/2Ku0obuzvM
— UFC (@ufc) April 16, 2023
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 44.
