Hailey Cowan, a 34-year-old mixed martial arts competitor, concluded her professional career after suffering a loss to Nina Milosevic at the UFC event in Belgrade. The fight, which marked Cowan's fourth consecutive defeat since joining the UFC in 2023, ended with a series of body shots that forced her to exit the sport. With an overall record of 7-6, she made the decision to walk away following the loss at Serbia's first major MMA event.
Cowan's final message
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Cowan expressed gratitude to her coaches, Dee1lv and Scarecroden, and her training partners, Queenbeast and others, for their support throughout her career. She admitted that for several months, she had sensed the conclusion of her MMA journey was drawing near. 'This obviously isn’t how I wanted to end this beautiful ride,' she wrote, reflecting on the unexpected end to her career. She also said that 'life threw me some bombs' but she always overcame, and expressed excitement for whatever comes next.
A career built on belief
Cowan revealed in her message that she first decided to become an MMA fighter at the age of 23 in Waco, Texas, and has remained committed to the path since. While she admitted the UFC did not offer the career she had envisioned, she credited the experience with helping her grow in spite of the challenges. 'I’m proud of what I was able to do,' Cowan said, expressing her appreciation for the journey. She encouraged fans to 'praise Jesus for this journey' and affirmed that she was 'healthy, happy and full of gratitude' despite the difficult outcome.
Blachowicz still active despite losing streak
Attention also turned to Jan Blachowicz, the 43-year-old former UFC light heavyweight champion, who suffered a brutal knockout loss to Navajo Stirling at Belgrade. Fans began calling for his retirement after the defeat, especially with the former titleholder failing to win a fight since May 2022. However, Blachowicz showed no sign of stepping away, writing on social media that the loss was 'another one for the collection' and offering a stoic view of his performance. Despite five straight losses or draws in his last five outings, he remains on the UFC's books. Whether the promotion will offer him further opportunities remains uncertain, but he made no indication of retiring from the sport.
Cowan's retirement marks the end of an era for the fighter who always believed in her dreams. From the very start, she made it clear she was going to fight with everything she had, even when the odds were stacked against her. Her journey, though not as successful as she had hoped, was filled with passion, growth, and gratitude. The MMA world may have lost Cowan, but the impact of her journey remains.
Blachowicz's continued involvement in the sport, despite a string of losses, reflects his own resilience and determination. While fans and analysts may question his future in the Octagon, the fighter himself remains focused and ready. Whether his story ends or continues depends on what the UFC has planned for the former champion.