UFC Veteran Matt Riddle Injured, Announces Retirement Prior to Planned Bellator Debut

UFC veteran Matt Riddle was slated to fight at next Bellator 100. Riddle on Monday, however, announced his retirement.

He was supposed to take part in the Bellator Season 9 Welterweight Tournament, but after injuring his rib, Riddle says he can’t afford to sit out and wait for another fight.

“I’m retiring from MMA today, I cracked my rib and I can’t fight sept 20th @BellatorMMA can’t give me a fight this year so I can’t afford it!” Riddle tweeted.

Riddle (7-3, 2 NC) made his way into professional mixed martial arts via the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter. He fought for the UFC for five years, but was released after he had two of his three most recent victories turned to no contests due to testing positive for marijuana metabolites.

He initial signed a multi-fight deal with Legacy Fighting Championships after leaving the UFC, but Bellator negotiated a deal with Legacy to sign Riddle for its upcoming welterweight tournament.

Bellator has yet to comment on Riddle’s announcement.

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