UFC veteran Takeya Mizugaki announces retirement

Takeya Mizugaki | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Takeya Mizugaki announced his retirement on Tuesday.

MMA Fighting confirmed the news with Mizugaki’s management after the 14-year MMA veteran told MMAPLANET he is hanging up the gloves.

Mizugaki, 36, walks away from active competition with a 23-14-2 record and appearances for several major promotions, including the UFC, World Extreme Cagefighting, and Shooto.

According to his management, Mizugaki made the decision to retire after his last fight, a second-round knockout loss to Manel Kape at a RIZIN show in August 2019, but he didn’t make a formal announcement until this week. He next plans to teach at a new gym that he’s opening.

Mizugaki made his debut with Japan’s Shooto promotion in 2005, emerging as a top bantamweight prospect. He eventually made his way to the United States, where he debuted in the WEC by challenging Miguel Torres for a bantamweight championship at WEC 40. Although he lost by decision, he stuck around in the promotion and was later part of the roster that was transferred to the UFC in a talent merger.

Across the WEC and UFC, Mizugaki compiled a 10-9 record with notable wins over Rani Yahya, Bryan Caraway, Erik Perez, and Francisco Rivera. He also competed against top contenders in Torres, Urijah Faber, Dominick Cruz, and Cody Garbrandt.