UFC strawweight contender lays down her gloves after loss at UFC Des Moines

At age 38, a UFC veteran is calling it quits after a bad losing streak to close out a respectable career.

Brazil’s Marina Rodriguez brought a straightforward striking style to her octagon appearances, with peaks such as her double knockout of Amanda Ribas at UFC 257 or winning ‘Fight of the Night’ honors in a main event victory over Mackenzie Dern.

However, the last two-and-a-half years had not been kind to the veteran, with five losses against only one win against an even older Michelle Waterson.

All of the athletes who defeated Rodriguez are skillful, ranked fighters — she spent the last six years in the rankings, after all — but laying down her gloves now will save her from more severe damage in the long term.

Not all mixed martial artists are able to avoid that fate, fighting too long after their physical capabilities have declined.

Marina Rodriguez never fought for a title, but she was a good addition to a division which was, for a long time, the only women’s division in the UFC with real depth to it.

On her way out, Marina said she will be auctioning her fight gear to benefit a “social project” at her gym in Brazil.

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