(Editor’s note: This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy and an inaccurate headline.)
Longtime UFC featherweight Kyung-ho Kang has announced he is no longer with the UFC after a dozen years in the promotion.
Kang (19-11 MMA, 8-5 UFC) posted a video clip on Instagram to say his contract with the UFC has expired. Kang spoke of being happy with his career and thanked those who have supported him. It was previously believed that his post was a retirement announcement, although a person from from Iridium Sports Agency, which represents Kang, told MMA Junkie’s Nolan King that is not the case.
Kang, from South Korea, won the Road FC bantamweight title in 2012 in his home country. He got a shot in the UFC in 2013 in Japan and immediately was part of a rarity. He lost to Alex Caceres, but Caceres popped hot for marijuana and the loss was wiped out.
It took Kang one more loss to get going, but then he went on a tear with six wins in seven fights, including three submissions.
After back-to-back decision losses to John Castaneda and Muin Gafurov, though, Kang said he’ll call it quits.
“Hello, I’m Kang Kyung-ho, a former UFC fighter:) Just received word today that the UFC was up with. It’s been a long time that I first signed with UFC in 2012 and ended in 2025, but when I look back, it’s gone like a moment. When you sweat every day, you train hard and lose more than 10 kilometers and when you enter a cage that matches your fear, when you hear the cheers of the audience, your fear turns into excitement and when you win the match, you feel frustrated when you lose the heat that can’t be replaced by anything. But looking back, all these moments were happy. A young man in his mid-20s has become an old man in his late 30s:) I did my best, so I have no regrets. Thank you very much to the fans who have laughed and cried with me, and cheered me up all night and slept in the morning. I’m so excited and excited about my life ahead. Please give me a lot of support. I will support you too. Thank you♥️”
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