UFC Veteran Officially Retires After Rollercoaster Career

Joe Solecki took to Instagram today to announce his retirement from the sport. He now plans to focus on coaching and training the next generation of martial artists.

In his final fight, Solecki stepped in on short notice to face Nurullo "Tajik Eagle" Aliev on January 11, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 249. Filling in for Yanal Ashmouz, he put up a fight but ultimately dropped a unanimous decision to the rising prospect.

Solecki's journey to the UFC was built on grit and submission mastery. He made waves on Dana White’s Contender Series 19, where he secured a first-round guillotine choke victory over Jesse Wallace on July 9, 2019, earning his UFC contract in dominant fashion. That moment was just the beginning of a career defined by relentless work ethic and technical precision inside the cage.

Reflecting on a decade-long pursuit of greatness, Solecki expressed gratitude for the journey:

“Today, after chasing this dream for 10 years, I am officially retiring from the sport of MMA.
I started this endeavor as a kid with a dream of making it to the UFC. It then grew into so many more goals and dreams, some of which I achieved and others where I fell short. In a way, despite falling short at times (especially this past year), I ‘lived my movie.”

For Solecki, MMA was about more than just wins and losses—it was about personal growth, relationships, and faith.

“This avenue in life has helped me grow in so many ways as a man, athlete, husband, father, and most of all has helped me grow and develop deeper in my faith and relationship with God.”

Though stepping away from active competition, Solecki won’t be far from the mats. He plans to continue training and coaching at Gym-O, guiding the next generation of martial artists while still competing in grappling events.

“Above all, praise goes to Jesus Christ, for the grace that showed me that my worth wasn’t determined by a status or outcome, but by Him.”

Solecki walks away from the sport with a career marked by resilience, technical excellence, and respect from the MMA community. From his Contender Series breakthrough to sharing the Octagon with respected names like Jim Miller, Grant Dawson, and Drakkar Klose, he leaves a legacy of hard-fought battles and memorable moments.