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WSOF star Newell knows when to tap out

Most fighters who have built a 13-1 professional record and have fought for a title in one of the top secondary organizations such as World Series of Fighting would have their sights set on the fame and fortune that could lie ahead.

Nick Newell has never been most fighters.

That sentiment applies to Newell far beyond the fact that he has accomplished all he has despite being born with a congenital amputation of his left arm, which ends just below the elbow. Newell has always been introspective, thoughtful, funny and entertaining during interviews, which almost universally turn to his disability.

Newell won his second straight unanimous decision since the only loss of his career on Saturday night on a WSOF card in Mashantucket, Conn., and announced he would walk away from the sport just moments after the win over Tom Marcellino.

Later on Saturday night, Newell explained his decision during a tearful interview posted on the organization's Facebook page.

"You know, I'm only 29-years-old, but I want to have a future. I want to be able to have a good body when I get older. One day, I'd like to have kids and be able to play with them. I know that's kind of an extreme thing, but I didn't get to where I am today by just being a natural," the lightweight said. "I got to where I am from hard work, and that takes a toll on your body. These past couple training camps have been really hard for me, and just really hard on my body. It's just my time."

Newell, a Connecticut native who said he was pleased to have his final fight in his home state, said he couldn't stand the thought of competing at a level he found unsatisfactory.

"I don't want to be a guy that just fights for a paycheck. I want to be a guy that fights because he loves it. I don't want to cheat myself of my best performances, and I don't feel like I'm the fighter I could be, because my body is just not reacting the same way it used to," he said. "I just don't have it in me anymore, so this is my last one, a hometown fight that I won. It wasn't the most beautiful thing in the world."

Newell began his career with nine straight wins that culminated in an Xtreme Fighting Championships title. That garnered the attention of WSOF executives, who signed him in 2013. After winning his first two fights, Newell was awarded a title shot against Justin Gaethje. Newell suffered the only loss of his career in that fight, getting knocked out in the second round.

He bounced back with consecutive victories, but the win over Marcellino will go down as his last.

"Thank you to everyone that's supported me. I don't want to give you guys a second-rate Nick Newell," he said. "I want the best Nick Newell there is and his days are over. It's time to move on and do something new and share my knowledge with other people."

Also on the WSOF 24 card, Jon Fitch won a decision over Yushin Okami in a matchup of former Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweights and Blagoy Ivanov retained the heavyweight title with a second-round knockout of Derrick Mehmen.

* CORMIER TAKES BREAK — Even if former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is reinstated from his indefinite suspension soon, a potential rematch with current champ Daniel Cormier may have to wait.

Cormier said he is looking forward to taking some time off during an appearance on Jon Anik and Kenny Florian's podcast.

"I have no idea (when Jones will be back), all I know is that I'm taking a break," Cormier said. "In 2015, I fought Jones, I fought (Anthony) 'Rumble' Johnson, and I fought Alexander Gustafsson. I fought the toughest guys the division has to offer — all in 10 months — at 36 years old. I need a little bit of a break. I fought seven times in two years in the UFC. I need a little bit of time to sit back and spend with my family and do some things normally.

"I want to take a break, and I think I've earned it."

Cormier won a unanimous decision over Gustafsson on Oct. 3 in Houston. Jones was stripped of the belt and suspended after he was charged in a hit-and-run accident in April. He recently pleaded guilty and avoided jail time, prompting speculation he would be brought back in the mix to fight Cormier relatively soon.

Cormier's only career loss came against Jones in January.

* UFC RELEASES FIGHTERS — At least nine fighters have been released by the UFC over the last few days, with rumors of more on the horizon circulating.

"The Ultimate Fighter" Season 19 champion Eddie Gordon, who lost all three fights after earning a UFC contract with the title, was the headliner of the cut list.

He announced his release on Twitter, as did Marcus Brimage, Chris Clements, Christos Giagos, Roger Narvaez, T.J. Waldburger, David Michaud and Francisco Trevino.

Trevino made the decision to cut him easy when he missed weight for a fight against Sage Northcutt at UFC 192 on Oct. 3 and then tested positive for marijuana after the fight.

Matt Van Buren, who was also cut by the UFC, provided the best comic relief in announcing his release.

"On a positive note, I'm now unemployed so I can get food stamps #winning," he posted on Twitter.

* UFC RETURNS TO DUBLIN — The UFC will hold its third event in Dublin on Saturday, featuring a main event bout between lightweights Joseph Duffy and Dustin Poirier.

Duffy is best known as the last person to defeat UFC superstar Conor McGregor on a Cage Warriors card in 2010. He is 2-0 with two first-round stoppages since signing with the UFC.

A heavyweight fight between Ben Rothwell and Stipe Miocic was canceled due to an injury to Miocic.

The event will stream exclusively on the UFC's online platform, Fight Pass.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj

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