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Former UFC Veteran Retires After Persistent Weight Issues

Published 2 months ago4 minute read

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 08: UFC CEO Dana White holds a press conference after the UFC 313 event at ... More T-Mobile Arena on March 08, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

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Jared Gooden, 31, called it a career during a heartfelt message on social media.

Gooden said he was “hanging up his gloves” to focus on raising his daughter, and he thanked fans for their love and support.

Gooden last competed in the UFC in October 2024, when he lost a unanimous decision to Chidi Njokuani. Gooden also missed weight for that fight. It was the second time he missed weight in three fights and his third slip-up on the scales with the UFC over a three-year period.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 29: Jared Gooden poses for a portrait during a UFC photo session on July ... More 29, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

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In addition to the weight misses, Gooden had also lost back-to-back fights, with the most recent defeat coming on March 29 against Mahamed Aly at a Shogun Fights event.

At Gooden’s best, he produced some memorable finishes in the UFC.

He earned a Performance Bonus for a second-round submission win over Wellington Turman in December 2023. He also scored a one-punch KO win over Niklas Stolze in July 2021.

If Gooden stays retired, he will be walking away from the sport with a 23-11 record. He is 2-5 in the UFC.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 09: Tallison Teixeira of Brazil poses for a portrait after his victory ... More during the UFC 312 event at Qudos Bank Arena on February 09, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC)

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According to Brazilian content creator and trusted source on Brazilian MMA news Laerte Viana, rising heavyweight prospect Tallison Teixeira has his first ranked opponent.

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Teixeira, one of the stars of Season 8 of Dana White’s Contender Series, is set to take on Derrick Lewis on July 12 in Nashville, Tennessee.

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - NOVEMBER 01: Derrick Lewis poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ... More official weigh-in at The Westin Edmonton on November 01, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

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Teixeira, 25, burst into the UFC’s heavyweight rankings with a 35-second KO win over Justin Tafa in February. The victory pushed the 6-foot-7 Brazilian to 8-0 for his career, and he’s now ranked No. 14.

Lewis comes in ranked No. 9, so a victory from Teixeira—especially an impressive one—will likely land him in the Top 10.

Lewis was supposed to fight Jhonata Diniz in November, but the former became ill after weigh-ins and was forced to pull out of the fight. Had Diniz beaten Marcin Tybura in November 2024, he might have been Teixeira’s opponent.

As it is, Teixeira will get a significant test against a well-known opponent. He could get fraud checked or score the first major win of his professional MMA career.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 26: Lerone Murphy of England prepares to face Dan Ige in a ... More featherweight fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

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Lerone Murphy will clash with perennial featherweight contender Josh Emmett on Saturday at the Apex in UFC Vegas 105. Murphy has the look of a future title challenger, and he is the favorite in the fight.

However, Emmett, 40, is not having similar thoughts to Gooden. He seemingly has no plans of calling it a career anytime soon.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 12: Josh Emmett prepares to fight Yair Rodriguez of Mexico in the UFC ... More interim featherweight championship fight during the UFC 284 event at RAC Arena on February 12, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

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Here is a look at the entire card:

Be on the lookout for post-event coverage.

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