UFC 313 was a night that was packed with memorable moments, ranging from nail-biting fights to stunning revelations. One of the biggest surprises of the evening came immediately following the Lightweight contest between Jalin Turner and Ignacio Bahamondes. Turner, having been submitted in the first round by Bahamondes, made an on-the-spot and unheralded choice to hang up his gloves and walk away from professional MMA at age 29.
Turner’s retirement news surprised many, as it is not common for a fighter of his age, particularly one with so much potential, to retire. The news came after his defeat, and Turner’s retirement was mentioned as a highlight in the post-fight report. UFC President Dana White spoke about this surprise during the post-event press conference, sharing how things went down backstage.
Dana White Weighs in on Turner’s Retirement News
In his UFC 313 press conference, Dana White touched on the topic of Jalin Turner’s dramatic retirement news. White reported having been yelled to by Turner right after the match to declare he was retiring.
“Sure, he yelled out through the cage to me and I was like, ‘Sure, okay,'” White began, recounting the scene. “I gave the truck notice that he was going to retire and then I think somebody convinced him out of retiring tonight in the Octagon. I don’t know if it was Belal (Muhammad) or whoever.”
White then explained the seriousness of the moment, stating that, as a general rule, he normally respects a fighter’s decision when they indicate they would like to retire. “Yeah, you know how I feel about that, usually when you start (thinking about retiring), rarely do I disagree with somebody when they feel like they wanna retire,” White stated. The President of the UFC understood to some extent and was respectful of Turner’s decision, as the fighter was still quite young.
Turner’s Personal Struggles Behind the Decision
In a passionate interview, Jalin Turner went through the pain and turmoil behind why he made his retirement call. Even though only 29, Turner confesses that retirement has been at the back of his mind for some time now.
He expressed how the prospect of quitting the sport had come across his mind prior to even UFC 313, particularly since UFC 300, a monumental show that played as the moment of turnaround in his professional career.
“I was already kind of thinking that you know, retiring after UFC 300,” Turner explained to Aaron Bronsteter during an interview, getting choked up as he described the internal struggle he had been going through. “I took a little bit of time off but continued to train, I was attempting to get my mind right and just concentrate on my mental well-being.”
Turner made no secret about his decision, and he openly discussed the strain that combat has put on him throughout the years. He shared that, after 12 years of being in the sport, the physical and mental pressure was getting too much. “It’s hard man, fighting is hard.”. I’ve done it for 12 years and you’ve got to be either all in or not and even being there tonight, I wasn’t all in,” Turner admitted. “I thought I would be.”
Balancing Family and Fighting: A Tough Decision
Apart from the physical and mental wear and tear of fighting, Turner disclosed that his expanding family played a big part in his decision to retire. “My kids are growing up, I don’t want to continue taking punishment, training camps are tough, life has worn me down,” Turner explained, his voice breaking with emotion. The demands of fatherhood, along with the rigors of fight preparation and the dangers of the sport, made it harder and harder for Turner to be completely devoted to his profession.
The realization that his priorities had shifted away from fighting and toward his family and mental health played a pivotal role in his retirement decision. “The decision to stay or not was honestly based on this fight for me. I’ve been thinking about this for the last 11 months if I’m gonna keep fighting or not,” Turner explained. “My kids are getting older, and I’ve been asking myself if this is the right thing for me and for them.”
Dana White’s Respect for Turner’s Decision
While Dana White originally did not approve of Turner retiring at such a young age, he did say that he had respect and understanding for the fighter’s personal choice. “I always back fighters who know themselves well enough to make decisions in their own best interest,” White stated. White understood that Turner’s mental and emotional health were primary considerations in the decision and recognized the significance of family and personal health within a fighter’s career.
White’s words captured the brutal realities of professional combat sports, where physical and mental wear and tear may at times outmatch the urge to keep competing. It also emphasized the need for fighters to make decisions in their best interest in the long run, even if it involves quitting the sport earlier than anticipated.
A Promising Career Cut Short
Jalin Turner’s retirement at age 29 is a reminder of the tough, often unsung sacrifices that fighters make in the pursuit of glory. Even though his career was comparatively short, Turner was widely regarded as one of the most promising lightweights in the UFC. His retirement has left many wondering what could have been, especially after his dominant showings and rapid ascent up the rankings.
Although his retirement will come as a shock to fans and analysts, Turner’s decision to place his family, mental health, and overall well-being ahead of the short-term benefits of being a fighter is one that must be respected.
It serves as a strong reminder that fighters are not just athletes but human beings who lead personal lives and have responsibilities that periodically must take precedence over their vocation in the octagon.
A Hard but Respected Decision
Jalin Turner’s abrupt retirement at UFC 313, though surprising, is a choice that ultimately is the hard truth of life as a professional fighter. As Dana White and other fighters will admit, the sport exacts a great cost on its participants, and sometimes the best option for a fighter is to walk away before it’s too late. Turner’s early retirement at age 29, although rare, is a testimony to how valuable mental well-being and family mean to an athlete.
Though Turner’s career at the UFC ended earlier than others had hoped for, his move is something people will understand and appreciate in years to come.
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