Neil '2 Tap' Seery has lost the final fight of his MMA career, after a submission defeat to Alexandre Pantoja in Glasgow.
The 37-year-old flyweight was due to retire last year in Belfast, but his fight against Ian McCall was called off at short notice. A fight against the #14 ranked Pantoja was set up in Glasgow, and allowed Seery to step away from the sport on his own terms.
One last time time for @NeilSeeryMMA. 👊 #UFCGlasgow pic.twitter.com/RQl1PDyvoo
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) July 16, 2017
Seery lost the first round to the Brazilian. Pantoja floored the Dubliner on two occasions, but Seery survived the opening onslaught to work his way into the fight.
As he has shown numerous times throughout his career, Seery fought back and worried the highly-rated Pantoja in the second round, but was unable to land a knockout blow or submission.
At the start of the final round, Seery began with a flurry of punches, but was quickly brought to the ground by Brazilian. For two minutes, Pantoja tried to get the win, before Seery eventually submitted via a rear naked choke.
When the choke is locked, the tap shall soon come. Big win for Alexandre Pantoja over Neil Seery! #UFCGlasgow https://t.co/NcM4D6BTWo
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) July 16, 2017
After the bout the two men embraced, but Seery had no issues with the way he lost. His career ended a 16-13 record.
Thanks for ALWAYS bringing it @NeilSeeryMMA! Warrior! #UFCGlasgow pic.twitter.com/tFVOF3Pj3R
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) July 16, 2017
Seery called the experience "fantastic" and thanked the Glasgow crowd for his reception. "I feel like I was one of their own", he told Dan Hardy in the octagon.
"It's my time to leave this", he continued. "I could feel the body is slowing down. [Pantoje] is a heavy-hitter, very fast-paced and he hits very hard."
"I've no excuses. The better man won on the day", Seery continued, before he thanked his family, team-mates and coach Andy Ryan.
Seery retires as a former Cage Warriors Flyweight Champion, but he will be best remembered by the sporting public for his exploits in the UFC.
