“Pikey” has called it a career.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Brett Johns announced his retirement from mixed martial arts (MMA) following a second-round stoppage loss to Featherweight
champion Nikolay Grozdev in the co-main event of WOW 25 — promoted by Ilia Topuria — this past weekend (Sat., Dec. 13, 2025) inside Madrid Arena in Madrid, Spain.
Johns got off to a strong start, using his trademark grappling to control much of the opening round. But Grozdev turned the tide early in Round 2, rocking the Welshman within seconds before finishing him with a barrage of ground-and-pound.
Watch the finish below:
Following the bout — the first stoppage loss of his lengthy professional career — Johns left his gloves in the cage and confirmed his retirement during an emotional post-fight interview.
“Listen, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I think it’s time to go now,” Johns said. “I’ve had one hell of a career and I’m super happy with my career. I want to thank all of my mates here and everyone who’s been part of my journey, but it’s time. I’ve got nothing left in the tank. This is it for me.”
Johns retires with a professional record of 21-6 and leaves behind a legacy as one of the true pioneers of Welsh MMA. After tearing through the regional scene and capturing titles in Cage Warriors and Titan FC, “Pikey” signed with the UFC in 2016. He compiled an impressive 5-2 record inside the Octagon, with losses only coming to Aljamain Sterling and Pedro Munhoz, and famously scored a rare calf slicer submission — one of the few in UFC history.
Following his UFC run, Johns tested free agency in search of better pay, signing with Bellator, where he went 3-1 across four appearances. After Bellator’s acquisition by PFL, he entered the 2024 PFL World Tournament, though his run ended after back-to-back losses.
After taking a year away from competition, Johns signed with WOW earlier this year and made one final highlight, submitting his opponent with a first-round Suloev Stretch in his promotional debut — a memorable final win before hanging up the gloves (watch highlights).
Brett Johns may not be the most recognizable name in global MMA, but in Wales, he is a legend — a trailblazer who helped carve the path for the next generation of Welsh fighters.
Enjoy retirement, “Pikey.”
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