Ray Borg Announces Retirement From MMA Aged 27 After UFC Release

Mandatory Credit: Esther Lin - MMA Fighting

Former UFC flyweight title challenger, Ray 'The Tazmexican Devil' Borg, released a statement Thursday night - announcing his decision to retire from professional mixed martial arts, following his recent release from the UFC after a six-year stint with the organization.

The 27-year-old was recently cut from the UFC following a string of fight cancellations hampering his activity within the Octagon. The Albuquerque native last featured under the UFC's banner at a UFC Fight Night Jacksonville event in May - dropping a very competitive back-and-forth to bantamweight upstart, Ricky Simón.

Taking to his official Instagram account last night, Borg posted, "Been in this game for a solid fourteen years, never did I think retirement would come at the age of 27 but some decisions are harder than others and I have to make sure I am making the right one for my family. I appreciate all the love the MMA community has shown my family over the years but it may be time to move on to the next chapter of my life. Much love everyone!" Borg's post has subsequently been removed from his social media.

Borg has dealt with multiple issues both inside the Octagon and outside during his six-year tenure with the promotion. Before his move to bantamweight recently, he had featured prominently at flyweight, but tipped the scales on four separate occasions, at both weight classes. Borg was also forced out of a UFC 223 clash with Brandon Moreno during fight week when he was injured by broken glass as a result of former two-weight world champion, Conor McGregor's attack on a bus carrying red corner fights at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York.

Rising to flyweight title contender status, Borg would score notable wins over Chris Kelades, Louis Smolka, and perennial contender, Jussier Formiga - before a UFC 216 clash with then champion, Demetrious Johnson. Despite a valiant effort, Borg was finished in the fifth-round with a flying armbar.

Borg and his wife Amanda welcomed their first child, Anthony back in 2018, who was born with the rare brain condition, hydrocephalus. Former UFC heavyweight contender turned stand-up comic, Brendan Schaub offered financial support to Borg and his family, as did former bantamweight champion, Cody Garbrandt.

From a twelve fight stint with the organisation, Borg had amassed a 7-5 promotional résumé. His most recent professional win came at UFC Fight Night Rio Rancho in February this year - scoring a unanimous decision victory over Rogério Bontorin over three rounds.