Matt Schnell has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts following his defeat at UFC Vegas 118. The flyweight finishes his career at 36 years old with an overall MMA record of 17-11 and a UFC mark of 7-9 with one no-contest. Schnell lost five of his last six bouts, all by finish.
Matt Schnell has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts at the age of 36, stepping away from the sport following his loss at UFC Vegas 118 earlier this year.
Schnell, who competed out of Fortis MMA in the flyweight division, finishes his professional career with a record of 17-10. The American orthodox fighter stood five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach and built a reputation as an aggressive, submission-oriented competitor. He averaged 4.07 significant strikes landed per minute with 40 percent striking accuracy, and registered 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes throughout his UFC tenure — a figure that reflects the finishing instincts that made him a fan favorite during his time on the roster. His takedown output was modest at 0.6 per 15 minutes, underscoring that his ground work was primarily offensive rather than positional.
Known as "Danger," Schnell compiled a UFC mark of 7-9 with one no-contest across a career that featured genuine highlight-reel moments alongside a difficult final stretch. He lost five of his last six bouts, all by finish, a run that ultimately brought his competitive career to a close.
Why it matters
- Schnell's exit removes one of the more experienced submission threats from the 125-pound division's veteran tier
- His 7-9 UFC record, built entirely at flyweight, reflects both the competitiveness of the division and his own boom-or-bust fighting style
- The string of five finishes losses in six bouts underlines how thin the margin for error is at flyweight, where a single exchange can end a fight instantly
