Jalin Turner said he retired after UFC 313, and he confirmed it on social media on Tuesday.
View this post on Instagram
“Thank you for all the love and support! I started training MMA at 18 in 2013. I started training in my backyard, a SoCal, LA born, IE raised kid with no path and a big dream. God opened the door to MMA when I didn’t know where else to go. I gave myself 4 years to fight in a big promotion and I did, then the 5th year I got to the UFC in 2018. Made it to the top 10 in the toughest division. I made it in a video game. Looking back, it doesn’t feel real. I love you all. I’m sorry I lost my focus and fire earlier than ever expected. 29 years young, time is on my good side. I wish I could reply to everyone’s messages. Just know all the positivity has helped me more than you all know. I appreciate it all!”
Then he added,“Things can change …We’ll see what the future holds.“
Turner (14-9) put up a tough fight against Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC 313 on Saturday night before losing the bout via submission in the first round. Bahamondes said in the post-fight scrum that Turner told him he was going to retire after the loss.
Bahamondes pleaded with him not to call it a career.
“Yeah I told him don’t do that. Don’t do that, come on, if you need help, if you need something, I’m here,” Bahamondes said.
“If you need to come to Chicago and train so just to love it again I told him he could stay in my house. No problem. I’m open to help him, our team is open to help him. I just told him to go back home, just think about it, but please don’t do it. He pushed me to my best and make me so better. He’s still got a lot more to give to this sport.”
Turner finishes his career with a 14-9 professional record including a 7-6 run in the UFC. A short stint in Bellator brought him two wins with no losses. He holds victories over Uros Medic, Brad Riddell, Jamie Mullarkey, Josh Culibao, and King Green.
