10-5 in his MMA career, with wins over Paul Craig and Khalil Roundtree and a tenured UFC career spanning almost eight years, the 32-year-old Australian fighter Tyson Pedro says he is looking at financial challenges after announcing his retirement from MMA following the loss at UFC Vegas 87.
Tyson Pedro announces his retirement and lays his gloves down in the octagon after #UFCVegas87 pic.twitter.com/KrEn06xnwz
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) March 2, 2024
It’s staggering to see someone who has been a part of the UFC for as long as he has been come out and talk about having to “rob someone,” even if it was a joke, to make ends meet after hanging up his gloves. The emotional moment moved so many MMA fans, who didn’t expect for the Australian fighter to move on from his MMA career at just 32.
Tyson Pedro wants to spend more time with his wife and kid
Pedro cited several reasons as the reason behind his retirement. While being away from the family is finally starting to catch up with the fighter, the Australian wants to spend as much time as possible with his baby daughter, Giselle Grace Pedro, and wife, Rosie Hardiman. Pedro trains out of City Kickboxing in New Zealand.
Pedro said during the post-fight press conference, “Mainly just been away from my daughter. Been away for probably 12 months in the last two and a half years from my wife and my baby.” He said.
Pedro continued, “With the (tax) deductions and the loss of the fight tonight, I’m probably going to have to rob someone in the car park.”
MMA fans did not take lightly to these comments and lashed out at the UFC for a fighter with 8 years in the company to find himself in that position. One fan wrote, “Man this is so sad to see, after retiring especially, dana white better chuck the guy 100k for being solid.” Another commented, “Dana white doesn’t care. He only worships money.”
No fighter should be making less than 100k per fight. That should be entry. That shit gets taxed, and they have to pay their coaches, nutritionists, etc. The UFC earned over 1b in 2023. They can pay fighters more
— Its Me Ya Boy (@JustAaronThanks) March 3, 2024
Dana white does’nt care. He only worships money.
— Hamza khan (@Hamzakhan120901) March 3, 2024
According to reports, Pedro took home a base salary of $85k in the losing effort against Vitor Petrino. Pedro has mostly fought for the same amount throughout his career, pocketing around $100,000 for each of his last few fights.
UFC fighters react to Tyson Pedro’s retirement
Several UFC fighters took to social media to wish Pedro on his retirement. Fellow Australian fighter Justin Tafa took to X (Formerly Twitter) and congratulated the UFC Light-Heavyweight for an incredible career.
Derek Brunson also came forward to wish Tyson Pedro well, while appreciating his 3-round war against a hungry Vitor Petrino.
Congrats USO on a great career @tyson_pedro_ can’t wait to see what’s in store next for you. Thank you for your service 🙏🏾🇼🇸
— Justin Tafa (@justin_tafa) March 2, 2024
Tyson Pedro just went 3 rounds with Vitor Petrino and retires . WOW , that man has a lot left ! I don’t think many LHW could do that !!! Respect 🙏🏾
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 2, 2024
