In a dramatic twist, one of MMA’s iconic ring card girls, Brittney Palmer, bids farewell to the UFC’s 2023 calendar, culminating her journey from UFC 125 in 2011 to UFC 296 in December. Palmer’s decision to retire, disclosed after clinching Ringcard Girl of the Year at the 15th Annual Fighters Only World MMA Awards, reveals a nuanced intersection of age, evolving priorities, and a thriving artistic career.
At 36, Palmer reflects on the persistent question of when to step down, acknowledging the need to pass the torch to new talent. Speaking to MMA Junkie Radio, she candidly shares her contemplation: “I’m 36 years old. I always said that once my art career started to level up to where my UFC career is and I wasn’t able to commit to both evenly, that I would have to make the decision. It was just time. You feel it.”
Longtime UFC octagon girl Brittney Palmer explains why “it was just time” to retire. pic.twitter.com/6Fji83lkN1
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 2, 2024
The revelation unfolded during the award ceremony, a moment Palmer seized with grace and flair. “When I found out I won Ring Girl of the Year, I was actually in New York City working that event. All of a sudden, I was like, ‘You know what? Wouldn’t it just be epic if I could use this opportunity, where I have the mic, to retire,’” Palmer recounts. It’s a poignant departure from the norm, an artist’s brushstroke on the canvas of her UFC career.
Ringcard Girl of the Year winner: Brittney Palmer, who announces this weekend’s #UFC296 will be her final event. #WorldMMAAwards
Here is her speech: pic.twitter.com/fPERNBlWja
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) December 15, 2023
Beyond the octagon, Palmer’s versatility shines. As a contemporary artist and model, she paints for the UFC, crafting iconic designs for events like International Fight Week and collaborating with renowned fighters such as Conor McGregor and Jon Jones. Her dedication extends to a mural project in progress, poised to unfold during UFC 300, showcasing a continued artistic involvement in the fighting world.
Despite her best efforts, Palmer’s retirement caught UFC CEO Dana White by surprise. Her attempts to inform him beforehand went unanswered, leading to a backstage revelation at the award show. Palmer shares the encounter: “I went up to him and pulled him backstage. I was like, ‘Listen, I’m retiring.’ He’s like, ‘Wait, what?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’ve been trying to tell you.’” White, although taken aback, expressed excitement for Palmer’s future endeavors, recognizing the inevitability of transitions in the fast-paced world of UFC.
Adapting to life without the adrenaline rush of live UFC events is a novel experience for Palmer. A month post-retirement, the full weight of the change hasn’t entirely set in. Palmer, however, maintains a forward-looking perspective, acknowledging an initial identity crisis: “To be completely transparent, there is an identity crisis. It’s not a crisis, but this is what I’ve known for so long. Who am I without this?”
Palmer’s post-retirement focus revolves around harnessing the newfound time for her art, emphasizing the importance of decluttering and settling into a rhythm before embarking on new endeavors. Her story serves as a testament to the dynamic nature of careers in the ever-evolving world of mixed martial arts, where reinvention becomes a necessity.
In bidding farewell to the UFC, Brittney Palmer leaves behind a legacy of grace, creativity, and a testament to the intricate dance between passion and pragmatism in the world of professional sports.
