UFC gloves (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Knowing when to call it a career in combat sports is arguably one of the most important things a fighter can know. After rough back-to-back KO losses, Bill Algeo knew it was time.
The 35-year-old called it a career on Tuesday via Instagram.
“Decided to hang ’em up for realz this time,” Algeo wrote in his caption.
“This game has been good to me and helped me develop and become a better person. It’s going to be strange not having a fight coming up (unless Fauci decides to man up🙄), but I’ll be guiding the next generation over at @algeomma.
I’ve met plenty of cool people along the way chasing their dreams and shared the cage with some rivals, friends, and heroes of mine.”
Algeo leaves the sport on a two-fight losing streak, suffering back-to-back KO losses at the hands of Doo Ho Choi and Kyle Nelson in July and March 2024, respectively.
Choi battered Algeo in a top-notch performance from the dynamic South Korean.
Nelson punished Algeo, but the latter showed his toughness and refused to go down. It forced the referee to step in and call it as a standing KO.
Algeo finished his career 18-9 overall, with a 5-5 record in the UFC. He also had one fight on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019, a unanimous decision loss to Brendan Loughnane.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 18: (R-L) Bill Algeo punches Brendan Loughnane of England in their … [+]
“Thank you to the @ufc and the @ufc staff for taking care of me and for having the balls to bring sports back safely in the pandemic,” Algeo added. “My gym was labeled non-essential for 3-4 months, and the UFC helped provide income during that weird time. #forevergrateful. Thank you to my people who have been with me since the beginning, buying tickets to random casinos to help me live my dream. Thank you to @santtiiii for helping me through the ups and downs of this game, cause there’s been plenty. Love y’all.”
Algeo is one of those veterans who didn’t have a stellar record. He never became a star or a true contender, but he earned immense respect from his peers.
Fighters like Andre Petroski, Loughnane, Joe Solecki, Billy Quarantillo, Sodiq Yusuff, and Shane Burgos took to Algeo’s comment section to pay their respects.
Algeo last won in October 2023, earning a unanimous decision over Alexander Hernandez. That victory put Algeo on a two-fight win streak, as he had defeated TJ Brown via submission in April 2023.
Unfortunately, Algeo could never sustain enough momentum to climb into the UFC’s Top 15 at featherweight. The best win of Algeo’s career was likely his TKO victory over Herbert Burns in July 2022 when Burns was forced to quit due to exhaustion.
ELMONT, NEW YORK – JULY 16: Bill Algeo reacts after his victory over Herbert Burns of Brazil in a … [+]
Congratulations to Algeo on a career that has seemingly created more opportunities for him to remain involved in the sport.
UFC Vegas 102 – Fight Card
- No. 7 – Jared Cannonier vs. Gregory Rodrigues – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- No. 12 – Calvin Kattar vs. Youssef Zalal – Featherweight (145 lbs)
- Ismael Bonfim vs. Nazim Sadykhov – Lightweight (155 lbs)
- Jose Delgado vs. Connor Matthews – Featherweight (145 lbs)
- Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Dylan Budka – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- Rodolfo Vieira vs. Andre Petroski – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- No. 12 – Julia Avila vs. No. 13 – Jacqueline Cavalcanti – Bantamweight (135 lbs)
- Vince Morales vs. Elijah Smith – Bantamweight (135 lbs)
- Valter Walker vs. No. 15 – Don’Tale Mayes – Heavyweight (265 lbs)
- Rafael Estevam vs. Jesus Aguilar – Flyweight (125 lbs)
- No. 13 – Angela Hill vs. Ketlen Souza – Strawweight (115 lbs)
- Gabriel Bonfim vs. Khaos Williams – Welterweight (170 lbs)
- Jared Gordon vs. Mashrabjon Ruziboev – Lightweight (155 lbs)
