Ivan Salaverry retires from MMA competition

by MMAmania.com on Jun 23, 2008 9:15 AM EDT

ivan salaverry

"Basically, I am just not prioritizing fighting anymore. Even though I love fighting and I had a great run and I enjoyed it, I've transitioned to other things. There are quite a few variables as to why I stepped away and not just one. I'm older now; I'm 37 and not 27. I also have some injuries that are just not recovering, too. And within that scope, I have my school and my two kids. Fighting is not just a priority anymore.... The loss (to Palhares) had a portion of my decision to retire but it wasn't the main reason why. The nature of this sport is that the new, younger guys come in and beat up the older guys. That's just how it is. I think that once you lose that focus to continue fighting, that hunger, it's time to let it go. I'm not going to be that 40-year-old-plus fighter struggling through small promotions and hanging on for dear life to those few remaining athletic years."

With back-to-back losses to Rousimar Palhares and Terry Martin, UFC and mixed martial arts veteran Ivan Salaverry decides it's time to hang up the gloves and move on to bigger and better things. Good luck, Ivan.

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I’m not surprised by this. He hasnt been at the top of his game recently. I’ve always enjoyed watching him fight though. Good luck to him and what he does from here on out.

by Joey 1.0 on Jun 23, 2008 9:20 AM EDT reply actions

Thats a good call for Salaverry. I saw a few fights of his before and he was dam good. What I have seen in his last two fights he’s not the same guy.

by JV on Jun 23, 2008 9:22 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed. He definitely made the right decision. I could be alone on this but I kind of hope Evan Tanner calls it quits too. Maybe one more fight for Evan and then retire win or lose.

by RobH86 on Jun 23, 2008 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

RobH: I am with you! Ivan was the man in his day, but those days are over. Time to retire for Ivan and Evan!

by john on Jun 23, 2008 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I have always liked Salaverry. That sub of Fryklund was something else. Never seen it done since

by Ade on Jun 23, 2008 9:28 AM EDT reply actions

Ivan is the man..his BjJ is official. I’ve been a fan of his since he fought Andrei Semenov in 2002. I wish him the best..and hopefully we can see some his students making some noise in the BJJ/MMA world.

by PhilQNY on Jun 23, 2008 9:32 AM EDT reply actions

Awwwww, I’m so saddened by this news. NOT!

For some bizzaro reason, after seeing the waaay over-hyped fight between Marquardt and Salaverry, I have not been a fan of either.

Now Ivan can take his little toe-tapping-jump celebration of his to the dance floor, or any spot queer enough to allow him to do so. I always picture him with a rose in his mouth like Mike Tyson Punch Out!

by ViolentMike on Jun 23, 2008 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

Heheheh . . . Don Flamenco! I thought he was going to retire after the Terry Martin fight. He was fun to watch in his prime, but not so much any more. He was a good BJJ guy, Poulhares just tooled him.

by PW on Jun 23, 2008 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Ivan Salavary is doing Dancing with the stars!

by john on Jun 23, 2008 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Is this what Ken Shamrock should’ve done years ago?

by GoColts on Jun 23, 2008 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

I am a huge Salaverry fan but he is on the wrong end of my favorite highlight ever. That Palhares armbar was insane. I’ve rewatched it about 50 times.

by Mike C. on Jun 23, 2008 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

Ivan’s highlight is probably his body lock win over Tony Fryklund.

by ViolentMike on Jun 23, 2008 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

seems like many fighters have highlight wins over Fryklund.

by john on Jun 23, 2008 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Good luck Ivan ! He was an awesome fighter. The performance he put on against Art Santore was very impressive.

by Ballam on Jun 23, 2008 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

man, i wish he could have fought jeremy horn before stepping out. that could have been such a good match

by double bagger on Jun 23, 2008 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

Ivan, I enjoy your fights very much. Good luck!!

by lucas on Jun 23, 2008 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

http://cgi.ebay.com/UFC-85-Fabricio-Werdum-fight-shorts-shirt-AUTOGRAPHED_W0QQitemZ260253431093QQihZ016QQcategoryZ52QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

by The Hammer on Jun 23, 2008 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t think anybody wants Fabricio’s autographed sweaty shorts.

by James S on Jun 23, 2008 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Best to Ivan…Entertaining fighter I really thought would make another run. His WEC fight with Santore was a really nice performance.

by Tony on Jun 23, 2008 4:30 PM EDT reply actions

the only thing I liked about that guy was his tattoo.

by Griffinfan05 on Jun 23, 2008 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

glad he saw the light. should have happened a while ago.

by the_mexicutioner on Jun 23, 2008 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

damn ivan used to be the man. his fight vs fryklund and riggs were awesome, a couple of my favorites. this guy is probably the classiest and most respectful guy in the sport along with a. silva of course. good luck ivan!

by AzCombat on Jun 23, 2008 6:31 PM EDT reply actions