Dublin fighter Cathal Pendred has been in the headlines this week after he decided to call time on his career in the UFC after declaring he has lost some of the passion he once had for the sport.
The 28 year old will now focus his attention on other projects, including the opening of a healthy fast food restaurant in Dublin.
Speaking to RTÉ Radio, Pendred spoke about his future plans outside of the ring, the money within the sport and his work with the Man Up campaign.
He also spoke in depth about the rigorous lifestyle of an MMA figher, mentioning that it would be something he'd be happy to see the back of.
I have friends who are professional athletes in other sports and I still see them and hang around, but they're able to meet up with the lads and have a pizza, whereas if you're a professional MMA fighter that's not the case.
You can't go out drinking, rarely ever, you can't eat food, you kind of become a recluse, it's a lifestyle.
Asked if there was ever any downtime between fights, he had this to say;
Maybe a week or so after the fight, but you can't leave it too long because the longer you leave it the harder it is to get back into it.
I got a few nights out after a fight and that was it, I'd then get back into it. It's very disciplined, it's one of the hardest professions in the world in that sense.
You don't just turn up at the gym and that's it, your whole lifestyle revolves around it, the way you eat, the way you sleep, everything.
When the drive isn't there any more it's not just going to the gym, it's everything else that goes with it.
The Dubliner was then asked if he'd be indulging in food and drink no that he's left the sport.
I'm trying not to, I've had a few Guinness, I'll enjoy myself over Christmas, but I'm trying to stay good till then, that when the over indulgence kicks in.
Pendred was speaking as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, he went on to say that he'll still train due to a love for the sport and the discipline it gives him, but he's happy to be moving onto to new adventures.
You can hear the full interview below
