{"id":861876,"date":"2026-08-17T23:50:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T23:50:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/861876\/"},"modified":"2026-08-17T23:50:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T23:50:08","slug":"din-thomas-clears-air-on-retirement-backlash-aug-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/861876\/","title":{"rendered":"Din Thomas Clears Air on Retirement Backlash Aug. 17"},"content":{"rendered":"

Din Thomas took responsibility for his UFC 330 retirement announcement and delivered an emotional apology to Gillian Robertson.<\/p>\n

It was a long night for Din Thomas<\/a> at UFC 330.<\/a> He had to juggle two roles, working as a UFC analyst while also serving as the coach in Gillian Robertson’s corner for her strawweight title fight against champion Mackenzie Dern in the co-main event.<\/p>\n

Robertson was dominated by Dern<\/a> and lost the bout via unanimous decision, with the judges scoring it 46-49, 46-49, and 47-48. Following the loss, Thomas worked as a UFC analyst on the Paramount+ post-show, where he immediately announced his retirement as a coach. He explained that he wanted to take Robertson as far as she could go and believed she had reached her full potential.<\/p>\n

The announcement came as a shock to the MMA community, especially considering that his fighter had just lost a title fight. Given the timing of the announcement, Thomas quickly faced backlash<\/a> from the MMA world, with fans and community members firing jabs at him online.<\/p>\n

Din Thomas apologizes to Gillian Robertson for announcing retirement immediately after UFC 330 loss<\/p>\n

Thomas has addressed the backlash in UFC\u2019s Deep Waters show. He reflected on his relationship with Robertson and explained that he and \u2018The Savage\u2019 had worked together throughout virtually all of her professional career.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a young lady that I\u2019ve worked with for her entire career,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cThe last seven years, it\u2019s just been me and her, working endlessly, just together, travelling, working together. They don\u2019t understand that we\u2019ve been working endlessly, time and time again, together.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thomas acknowledged that his decision to announce his retirement immediately after the loss shifted the focus away from Robertson. He took full responsibility for his actions, admitted he was embarrassed, and apologized to his fighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I, selfishly, stole her moment that night,\u201d Thomas asserted. \u201cInstead of congratulating her on her run, I stole her moment. And I want to apologize to her for that, because I stole her moment. I was completely wrong. I\u2019m ashamed. I\u2019m embarrassed. But I\u2019m not too big to say I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

The coach delivered an emotional message directly to Robertson and assured her that he would continue to support her, regardless of what comes next.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for her, Gillian, I love you. I got your back. I\u2019ve always had your back. This is not the end,\u201d Thomas added. \u201cI want you to know I\u2019m always here for you. I\u2019m always going to support you, and whatever you need, I\u2019m always here for you. The same way I\u2019ve been for you for the last seven years when it was just us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Check out Din Thomas\u2019 comments below:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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