Pendred, a Straight Blast Gym team-mate of the likes of Conor McGregor, Aisling Daly, and Paddy Holohan, was signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship last year after competing on The Ultimate Fighter.
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He started his time in the UFC with an undefeated run of four consecutive wins, but that streak ended in July when he lost to John Howard via split decision at UFC 189 in Las Vegas.
Pendred aimed to bounce back last month at UFC Dublin but suffered a comprehensive loss to Englishman Tom Breese via TKO in the first round. The bout would turn out to be Pendred’s last, as he confirmed today that his career in MMA is over at the age of 28.
“I am a passionate person and I always give 100% to what I do,” said Pendred, who made his professional MMA debut in 2009. The Dubliner was previously a highly-regarded schools rugby player, winning a Leinster Schools Senior Cup medal alongside Cian Healy and Ian Keatley for Belvedere College in 2005.
“I have been passionate about MMA for a long time and my focus on the sport has been my driving force for the last nine years. I now find that my passion is no longer what it was and I feel that it is time for me to move on. The time is right to close one door and open another.
“My love of MMA remains with me. I intend to maintain my involvement with the sport but I no longer wish to compete. I have developed as a person because of mixed martial arts, as I learned to cope with the discipline and demands of the sport. This strength will carry through into other areas of my life, as I move on to pursue new goals.”
Pendred, who has signed a franchise agreement with Chopped to open a new outlet of the health food store in Dublin, added: “I would like to thank all my coaches and team-mates for their friendship and support. Thank you to everyone who has followed and supported me on this journey. Indeed, thanks to everyone that I met through MMA from start to finish. This chapter of my life wouldn’t have been the same without you.
“My participation in competing in MMA has come to an end but my love for the sport has not. I will maintain my interest in the sport and continue to support my team-mates as they follow their dreams.”
Emily Harney / INPHO
Emily Harney / INPHO / INPHO
Prior to his loss against John Howard, Pendred had been undefeated in 12 bouts — a run which stretched back to 2010. The Boston-born fighter, who became the Cage Warriors welterweight champion in 2013, defeated high-calibre opponents such as Nico Musoke, David Bielkheden, Bruno Carvalho, Che Mills and Gael Grimaud en route to the UFC.
Pendred may not have been the most technically gifted fighter, but what he lacked in ability, he made up for with hard work and relentless endeavour, which saw him taste victory in the world’s biggest MMA organisation on four occasions — a feat that has only been matched by Conor McGregor in Irish sport.
In spite of the criticism he sometimes received from fans, Pendred can look back on a decorated career and be proud of his status as an exemplary ambassador for MMA in Ireland, as he became a pioneer for the growth and success of the sport in this country.
Irish fighter Cathal Pendred has announced his retirement from MMA
IRISH MIXED MARTIAL ARTS fighter Cathal Pendred has announced his retirement from the sport.
In a statement released on Twitter this afternoon, Pendred said he’s hanging up his gloves in order “to pursue new goals”.
Pendred, a Straight Blast Gym team-mate of the likes of Conor McGregor, Aisling Daly, and Paddy Holohan, was signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship last year after competing on The Ultimate Fighter.
He started his time in the UFC with an undefeated run of four consecutive wins, but that streak ended in July when he lost to John Howard via split decision at UFC 189 in Las Vegas.
Pendred aimed to bounce back last month at UFC Dublin but suffered a comprehensive loss to Englishman Tom Breese via TKO in the first round. The bout would turn out to be Pendred’s last, as he confirmed today that his career in MMA is over at the age of 28.
“I am a passionate person and I always give 100% to what I do,” said Pendred, who made his professional MMA debut in 2009. The Dubliner was previously a highly-regarded schools rugby player, winning a Leinster Schools Senior Cup medal alongside Cian Healy and Ian Keatley for Belvedere College in 2005.
“I have been passionate about MMA for a long time and my focus on the sport has been my driving force for the last nine years. I now find that my passion is no longer what it was and I feel that it is time for me to move on. The time is right to close one door and open another.
Pendred, who has signed a franchise agreement with Chopped to open a new outlet of the health food store in Dublin, added: “I would like to thank all my coaches and team-mates for their friendship and support. Thank you to everyone who has followed and supported me on this journey. Indeed, thanks to everyone that I met through MMA from start to finish. This chapter of my life wouldn’t have been the same without you.
“My participation in competing in MMA has come to an end but my love for the sport has not. I will maintain my interest in the sport and continue to support my team-mates as they follow their dreams.”
Prior to his loss against John Howard, Pendred had been undefeated in 12 bouts — a run which stretched back to 2010. The Boston-born fighter, who became the Cage Warriors welterweight champion in 2013, defeated high-calibre opponents such as Nico Musoke, David Bielkheden, Bruno Carvalho, Che Mills and Gael Grimaud en route to the UFC.
Pendred may not have been the most technically gifted fighter, but what he lacked in ability, he made up for with hard work and relentless endeavour, which saw him taste victory in the world’s biggest MMA organisation on four occasions — a feat that has only been matched by Conor McGregor in Irish sport.
In spite of the criticism he sometimes received from fans, Pendred can look back on a decorated career and be proud of his status as an exemplary ambassador for MMA in Ireland, as he became a pioneer for the growth and success of the sport in this country.
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Cathal Pendred Hanging up his gloves mixed martial arts MMA UFC Ultimate Fighting Championship