Tom Duquesnoy retires: ‘I can not be fully devoted to high level training’
UFC bantamweight Tom Duquesnoy unexpectedly announced his retirement from MMA via social media on Sunday.
In a post on his Instagram account, the 25-year-old claimed that he can no longer fully commit to being a fighter and is pursuing “a different path” instead.
The post reads:
“Dear friends,
“The MMA has been for me THE school of life with travels and encounters all over the world, and most importantly, the opportunity to discover myself as a person. Today I decide to go on a different path that attracts me a lot more and that takes me a big part of my energy. My new activities are such that I can not be fully devoted to high level training. I respect that sport too well to engage in « half-hearted » and that is why I am at a crossroads where it is essential for me to focus on what passionates me the most. It is also the result of a long introspection that was not simple since it was my childhood dream to fight in UFC, I who watched the UFC’s since the age of twelve and who did everything, these last ten years, in order this dream to materialize. This decision is good for me and comes from deep inside my heart.
“I announce my official retirement as a MMA fighter. I am already happy to feel your support in this new chapter of life dedicated as you know, to the teaching of the MMA technics but ABOVE ALL, the spiritual aspect of the martial arts and the inner quest. And that is on that path that you are all WELCOME and I invite you to follow the continuation of my journey. A continuation where we will be able to meet more than ever. I take this opportunity to THANK FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART all the people that have illuminate my path, to have made this journey so dense in understandings and human values.
“Thank you to everyone.”
Duquesnoy (16-2-0) is a former two-weight BAMMA champion who was widely considered one of the great unsigned talents outside of the UFC before he joined the roster in 2017. “Fire Kid” compiled a record of 2-1 under the banner, claiming wins over Patrick Williams and Terrion Ware. His sole defeat in the Octagon came against Cody Stamann, who earned a split decision win over the French fighter at UFC 216.
Outside of his fight career, Duquesnoy also works as a model.