‘It hurts’ – 15-fight UFC veteran Darren Stewart announces premature retirement and reveals sad reason

Former UFC fighter Darren Stewart has reluctantly announced his retirement from MMA.

At the height of his career, ‘The Dentist’ enjoyed a 15-fight run in the UFC and squared off against a host of middleweight contenders, including Kevin Holland.

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In 2021, Stewart was cut by Dana White following three consecutive losses.

The 33-year-old set about working his way back to MMA’s premier promotion under the Cage Warriors banner – but he’s lost two of his six fights on the regional scene.

Now, Stewart has sadly announced his retirement from the sport after struggling to make ends meet since being let go by the UFC three years ago.

“It hurts me to write this but I think it’s time to call it a day,” he said in a heartbreaking Instagram post on Tuesday morning.

“Not by choice but I’m forced to because I’ve lost a lot to this game trying to survive and I can’t do it no more.

“When UFC let me go I should have invested something but instead I put all my eggs in one basket AGAIN to get back to the top and life has gotten even worse.

“I’ve got family and it’s not fair on them stressing just to keep food on the table. I love fighting and I don’t want to call it as I’m only 33 but I’m not getting any help financially.

“Spoke about it a few times so not going to go into it. Maybe I’ll get into boxing if it ever arises but mma? …..yeah I’m done. Brings tears writing this seriously but it is what it is.

“I’ll still teach 1-2-1 or seminars and still do Jiu Jitsu here and there because I feel I can still pass knowledge on. But other than that, I need to go find the second job.

“Thanks for always supporting me those who have. Means a lot. I hope the next generation has learned a lot from me and my career. That’s it from me, THE DENTIST.”

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Arnold Allen, Lerone Murphy, and Modestas Bukauskas were just some of the current UFC fighters who took to Stewart’s comment section to wish him well in retirement.

Molly McCann also sent a nice message to her long-time friend.

She wrote: “Thank you for the highs we’ve shared together Darren!

“You’ve made my career a special one. You are a special one! I’m always here if you need me x.”

Stewart retires with a 16-10 (2NC) record after 10 years in the sport.

He’ll be fondly remembered for putting on several epic fights in the Octagon and helping pave the way for the current crop of UK MMA stars.