Fighter announces retirement

French MMA fighter Mohamed Soumah, known for his high-profile match against Muay Thai legend Youssef Boughanem at ARES 44, has officially announced his retirement from combat sports.

Upset defeat in major fight

Soumah faced Boughanem in a highly anticipated match, where he initially dominated the first part of the fight but ultimately lost by submission, marking one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.

Post-fight interview sparks debate

After the match, Soumah expressed surprise that the referee had not stopped the fight earlier, a statement that led to widespread discussion, though he later clarified his intent was not to provoke controversy.

Clarification and career end

On Monday, Soumah posted a video on Instagram to clarify his comments. Less than an hour later, he shared a brief message announcing his retirement, stating, "Je dépose les gants, merci pour tout. Qu'Allah puisse nous guider, bénir la terre et son peuple. Amin."

Career record and background

Soumah, a 28-year-old representative of Vénissieux, has a 4–4 record in MMA, with 1–3 results specifically under the ARES promotion. The reasons behind his decision to retire remain unclear.