Mark Hominick Retires

As was announced last night on Fuel TV, Mark Hominick has decided to retire from MMA. Here is his quote from Sherdog.com:

“Over the last 11 years, I’ve followed my passion in the UFC. Now, I’ll say UFC 154 was my last fight in the Octagon, as I’m retiring and moving on to next phase of my career,” Hominick said. “I have a young daughter at home and another on the way. I’ll always be involved in the sport, but I know the commitment I have to make. I have to make a commitment to this, as I have to fighting in the past.

“This is a true retirement. With a daughter on way, I know the sacrifices I have to make. I was one of those fighters in the cage who would lay it on the line. It’s an all-or-nothing kind of thing for me, and I’m ready to move on.”

There is a lot of things to remember about what Hominick did in MMA. From a stylish angle, he was the first MMA fighter to dress up in nice suits. Before GSP, before Evans, and way before Macdonald, Hominick was rocking the nice suits and paving the way for sharp dressed fighters. GSP took notice of that and soon followed Hominick’s lead.

Hominick was also known for being a sharp striker and an excellent student of the late Shawn Tompkins.

Hominick first made his name by beating then top lightweight and current UFC fighter Yves Edwards way back at UFC 58 (March 2006). Hitting a quivering liver shot and then locking in a triangle armbar to finish the Thugjitsu master.

Since that point, he’s had high profile fights in the TKO, WEC, Affliction and UFC. His highpoint started after losing to “The Fluke” Josh Grispi at WEC 32 (February 2008). He recovered from that blemish to build a five fight winning streak with victories over Savant Young, Bryan Caraway, Yves Jaboin (in a “Fight of the Year Candidate”), Leonard Garcia and George Roop. He fought featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo at UFC 129 (April 2009) in front of a North American record of 55,724 fans. Hominick lost a spirited five round battle that is fondly remembered for the heart that Hominick displayed.

Since the loss to Aldo, Hominick would go on to lose to Chan-Sung Jung (“The Korean Zombie”), Eddie Yagin, and Pablo Garza. We wish the best to Mark Hominick and his family. Thank you for all the memorable fights you provided us during your very entertaining mixed martial arts career.