Inverness-based mixed martial artist Ross Houston confirms retirement from the sport after scheduled Bellator fight in London cancelled due to failed medical
Ross Houston has announced his retirement from professional mixed martial-arts after his scheduled fight in London next month was cancelled.
The 33-year-old had been due to face Steven Hill at Bellator MMA’s Champions Series event at Wembley Arena on September 14.
However, after failing a medical, Houston has had to pull out of the bout, and has confirmed his retirement from the cage.
He wrote on social media: “Unfortunately due to a failed medical I will not be fighting on September 14 despite doing literally everything I could possibly do in my power to try and make this happen.
“Apologies to my opponent Steven Hill but this has been taken out of my hands.
“I feel in absolutely incredible shape right now, ready for anything, so for this to be taken away from me is devastating to say the least.
“I’ve had almost a four-year lay-off from the sport and 16 weeks ago I made the decision to make the hard climb back to fight-shape and speed and have one last run at the sport.
“My reason was this: I have given so much time, energy and health over the last 15+ years and never been handed anything. I’ve fought my way up and paid the blood price to get into the position I am in, and just wanted the chance to take some of the rewards of hard work back to my family.
“I just wanted to go out on my terms, no-one else’s. For someone to take this decision out of my hands is a hard one to take.”
Houston made his professional debut in March 2016, competing at Scottish Fight Challenge 10 and defeating Canadian athlete Joey Morency by unanimous decision.
He would soon enter the ranks of Cage Warriors, a European-based promotion with links to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Rising through the welterweight division, Houston would win the Cage Warriors world championship by defeating Italian Stefano Paterno in October 2018.
It appeared as though the sky was the limit for the Hitman, and his first title defence would capture the attention of the MMA world as his bout with Denmark’s Nicolas Dalby was ruled a no-contest due to the amount of blood spilled on the mat making it almost impossible for either competitor to remain upright.
While Dalby would seal a return to UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial-arts company, as a result of the display, Houston would sign a multi-fight deal with Bellator.
With the Covid-19 pandemic causing several delays, Houston would only fight once with the company, suffering the first loss of his career by unanimous decision to current UFC fighter Michael “Venom” Page.
An amateur boxing champion in his youth, Houston will not be stepping away from combat sports completely despite his retirement, as he will continue to run HMAC Inverness with the intention of helping to build the next generation of MMA champions.
Houston’s social media post continued: “In terms of my professional MMA career this is the end of the road for me.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t give you a final showing or two. I feel like if it was meant to happen it would, and someone or something is just telling me it’s not meant to be.
“On a more positive note, MMA has definitely given me more ups than downs over the years.
“The sport has come so far from when I first started. The level of talent coming through MMA now is incredible and I’m happy to say I’ve met some great people on my journey and wouldn’t change any of it.
“I am proud of myself for taking a world title from the fight game and grateful that it has given me such an amazing, thriving gym where I can continue trying to help build up the next generation of martial artists.
“Thank you to all my coaches, training partners, sponsors, supporters and everyone else involved who I’ve met over the years. It’s been some ride.”
