Aisling Daly has retired from UFC after becoming the first Irish woman to compete in the sport.
She's been forced to hang up her gloves, after an abnormality showed up in a routine brain scan.
She revealed the news in a statement on Instagram last night, saying "This past year a routine brain scan showed up evidence of an abnormality, the remnant of a small haemorrhage that had taken place at some point in the months previous. It would be unlikely I would be medically cleared to compete again, even in the event I could find a doctor who would clear me it would be very unwise for me to continue to compete with the risks involved.
My career has ended prematurely but I’m very grateful for my long list of achievements, I am and will always be ‘Ais the first’ for so many things, my legacy set in stone in the history of Irish mixed martial arts. I am the countries first ever world champion, the first and only female to ever do it. I have and always will give back to the sport which has given me so much.
I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the fans who have supported me tirelessly through various parts of the journey. Without this support there is no sport of MMA as we know it.
I would like to thank my good friends and close team mates, there is no substitute for the genuine loyalty built between people over years of blood, sweat and tears.
I am truly most grateful for my wonderful family, who were there to pick up the pieces throughout my entire career and especially now when my dream fell apart. This would have been intolerable without their help, emotionally and financially. They say you can’t choose family but I would want no other.
Now starts the next chapter of my life. I’m very fortunate to have grown up within such an outstanding organisation as SBG. I am equipped with the skills to be an exceptional coach and member of the martial arts community and I look forward to seeing what challenges lie ahead for me. “New Beginnings are often disguised as painful endings."
Fans were quick to pay tribute to the Irish sporting legend, have a look at just some of the reactions below.
@aisydaly All the best, Ais. You're a credit to Irish sport.
— Ben Blake (@benjmnblake) January 30, 2017
@aisydaly sad day for Irish MMA... Leading the way for Irish girls to get into the sport #EnjoyRetirement
— Ian McDonnell (@ianomc22) January 30, 2017
@aisydaly All the best in your new adventure, you should be proud of what you achieved 👊ðŸ¼ðŸ‘ŠðŸ¼â˜˜ï¸â˜˜ï¸ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡ªðŸ‡®ðŸ‡ª
— Graham ☘ï¸ðŸ‡®ðŸ‡ª (@GDonnanMUFC) January 30, 2017
@aisydaly 😢💙💚keep that head high girl
— Robert Whiteford (@Flyinjudoka) January 30, 2017
We’re sorry to hear about the retirement @aisydaly! Good luck on where ever you go next! https://t.co/e1zD0aen2K
— DC Mouthguards (@dcmouthguards) January 30, 2017
@aisydaly You are a pioneer of Irish MMA Ais, best of luck for whatever the future brings! Your UFC dub walkout won't ever be forgotten! ðŸ€ðŸ‘ŠðŸ‘
— Brian McLoughlin (@bmcdublin) January 30, 2017
@aisydaly sad to hear your news Ais. That last walkout will live forever!
— Alan (@AJK_Dublin) January 30, 2017
@aisydaly all the very best , that night in the 3 arena was magical , thank you
— pete dancer (@peteed) January 30, 2017
@aisydaly Congrats on a great career Ais! You are a warrior and a pioneer #WMMA #Mma
— Logan Bryce (@LoganBryceRFC) January 30, 2017
@aisydaly congrats on a stellar career. Pleasure to have met you, best of luck moving forward.
— Jason Hands (@jasonhands) January 30, 2017
