Matt Schnell announced his retirement from MMA following his defeat at UFC Vegas 118, closing out his career at age 36 with a professional record of 17-11 and a 7-9-1 NC mark inside the UFC. Schnell lost five of his final six fights, all by stoppage. He is perhaps best remembered for his 2022 bout against Su Mudaerji, which was widely considered a Fight of the Year contender.
Matt Schnell has called time on his mixed martial arts career at age 36, announcing his retirement in the wake of his loss at UFC Vegas 118 earlier this month.
Schnell, nicknamed "Danger," competed at flyweight and built a professional record of 17-10 over the course of his career. The American fighter, who trained out of Fortis MMA, went 7-9-1 NC inside the UFC — a run that ultimately ended with five stoppages in his final six outings. Standing five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach and fighting out of an orthodox stance, Schnell was an active, submission-oriented fighter who averaged 4.07 significant strikes landed per minute and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes during his UFC tenure. His striking accuracy sat at 40 percent, and he added 0.6 takedowns per 15 minutes to round out a well-rounded if inconsistent game.
Why it matters
- Schnell's departure removes one of the more recognizable veteran names from the UFC flyweight division, where experience at the top level remains relatively scarce.
- His 2022 clash with Su Mudaerji drew widespread acclaim as a Fight of the Year contender, cementing his legacy as a fighter capable of delivering memorable performances.
- Five stoppages in six losses underlined the durability concerns that defined the latter portion of his career, making retirement a logical conclusion.
Schnell leaves behind a reputation built largely on all-action performances and a willingness to engage. The 2022 bout with Su Mudaerji in particular stands as the defining highlight of his UFC run, a showcase of the attacking, submission-heavy style that made him a fan favorite even as results proved difficult to sustain in the later stages of his career.
