John Wood Says Using Retirement Word Is Worst Thing Fighters Can Do

What was said

"Don't ever use the hard R word. Don't say retired. Just move into the next thing. It's just a hard stop. You're boom, you fall off the ledge. Unless the person is really ready. It's such a stupid little thing, but like I said, I'm retired. That's tough."

In discussing Dustin Poirier's recent struggles, Wood argued that fighters should never formally retire because it creates a devastating loss of identity. He explained that saying "I'm retired" closes psychological doors and paints fighters into a corner, whereas leaving options open allows them to ease into the next phase. Wood believes the formal retirement ceremony may have been the worst thing for Poirier despite appearing beautiful at the time.