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The Big Guy
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Ian McCall told Ariel Helwani on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hourthat he has been released from his UFC contract. Previously, McCall said he wouldn’t feel comfortable returning to the UFC under his standing contract due to health issues, including brain treatment.
McCall said he asked the UFC for his release and was granted it.
“I’m a free agent now. If I’m gonna fight, I want to fight for at least $100,000 — 50 and 50 is fine,” McCall said.
McCall said he’d like to go and fight for Rizin, since he has never fought in Japan before. If that doesn’t work and the money isn’t there, he very well could hang up the gloves
“I’m gonna take this, go to a different market and see if it works,” McCall said.
McCall (13-5-1) has not fought since a unanimous decision loss to John Lineker at UFC 183 in January 2015. In 2016 and early 2017, McCall had four straight fights drop off the card during fight week due to injury, illness or weight-cut problems. Twice it was McCall’s own troubles and the other two times were issues with his opponent.
“Most people don’t know I ended up in the hospital six times in the last year,” McCall said. ... “It just doesn’t seem worth it to me.”
“Uncle Creepy” famously fought Demetrious Johnson to a majority draw in the inaugural UFC flyweight title fight in March 2012. He lost the rematch with Johnson three months later and Johnson has gone on to set the UFC record with 11 straight title defenses. McCall, 33, has gone only 2-3 since then.
McCall said he asked the UFC for his release and was granted it.
“I’m a free agent now. If I’m gonna fight, I want to fight for at least $100,000 — 50 and 50 is fine,” McCall said.
McCall said he’d like to go and fight for Rizin, since he has never fought in Japan before. If that doesn’t work and the money isn’t there, he very well could hang up the gloves
“I’m gonna take this, go to a different market and see if it works,” McCall said.
McCall (13-5-1) has not fought since a unanimous decision loss to John Lineker at UFC 183 in January 2015. In 2016 and early 2017, McCall had four straight fights drop off the card during fight week due to injury, illness or weight-cut problems. Twice it was McCall’s own troubles and the other two times were issues with his opponent.
“Most people don’t know I ended up in the hospital six times in the last year,” McCall said. ... “It just doesn’t seem worth it to me.”
“Uncle Creepy” famously fought Demetrious Johnson to a majority draw in the inaugural UFC flyweight title fight in March 2012. He lost the rematch with Johnson three months later and Johnson has gone on to set the UFC record with 11 straight title defenses. McCall, 33, has gone only 2-3 since then.
