With tears in his eyes and a sense of regret, Darren Stewart announced his departure from the world of Mixed Martial Arts.
To provide for his family, the father of two took a job on the railway tracks, perhaps believing his fighting days were behind him.
However, an opportunity Stewart had long hoped for finally emerged, presenting a second shot at his fighting career.
Stewart had been a professional MMA fighter since 2014, even competing in the UFC for five years. However, a series of losses led him back to smaller, local events.
After six fights in Cage Warriors, offers became scarce, leading the London native to make the difficult decision to retire.
Stewart, 34, shared with SunSport about his mindset at the time: “I was constantly asking, ‘What’s next? Are there any fights coming up?'”
“And I was being told that there might not be any fights until the end of the year.”
“I had already fought at the start of the year, so how was I supposed to make ends meet? “
“Remember, I didn’t have another job, how could I survive from the beginning of the year to the end? No sponsorships, nothing.”
“When I received that message, I broke down in tears. I cried and declared, ‘I’m done.'”
“My wife noticed something was wrong and asked, ‘What’s wrong?’ I told her, ‘I’m going to retire.’ I think she responded with something like, ‘Yeah, but you always say that.’”
“But I insisted, ‘No, I’m really done this time.’ It was a very tough decision, but I felt I had to make it.”
Stewart was a full-time fighter, depending solely on his fight earnings, which were often consumed by training camp expenses.
He recounted the reactions to his retirement: “I received many messages asking why. People didn’t understand.”
“I explained, ‘Why? Because I’m not receiving enough support as a fighter. People only see us in the fight itself, but it’s so much more than that.'”
“What happens after the fight? What happens after fifteen or twenty-five minutes in the ring? There are so many costs to cover.”
“Without sponsorships, you have to pay for everything yourself. It becomes overwhelming.”
“And then whatever is left has to cover your living expenses until who knows when the next fight will be. It’s all uncertain.”
Stewart took a job working on the railway tracks, becoming a retired fighter who clocked in every evening.
Everything changed when Misfits Boxing contacted him – an opportunity he had been hoping for.
Misfits Boxing, promoted by KSI, focuses on celebrity and crossover boxing events.
Stewart is now set to face former UFC fighter Darren Till, 32, in Manchester on March 29, his hope for a comeback finally realized.
He described the difficult period: “It was a real struggle, man.”
“I started working on the railway, working every night while everyone else slept. Heavy lifting on the tracks. It wasn’t the right fit for me.”
“My body wasn’t recovering. It was a huge challenge. I just kept praying and hoping that something would come along.”
“I had a supportive circle of people around me, and I continued to train with my coach, who also helped me with rehab. “
‘It’s sad for me to admit this’
“I focused on rehab, trying to restore my body after years of MMA-related stress and injuries.”
Stewart acknowledges some regret in dedicating himself solely to MMA without a backup plan.
He would advise his eldest son, Tyler, who has begun judo, to consider a different path.
Stewart shared candidly: “I will support him, but I would advise him to ‘Do something else, learn martial arts for self-defense only.'”
“Depending on how serious he gets, if he’s exceptionally talented, I will have to support him. But if it’s just for fun, no, it’s not a fun career path.”
“Fighting is serious business. Use it for self-defense and pursue something else professionally. It’s sad for me to say it.”
“I know this isn’t what people want to hear, but I’m being honest.”
“I should probably write a book about this experience. Many people aren’t willing to tell you the truth about the sport. When I talk to people, they are often surprised. But it’s the reality.”
“I’ll tell my son, ‘If you really want to do it, I’ll support you, but honestly, learn self-defense and move on to other things.'”
