UFC’s Cheyanne Vlismas Announces Shock Retirement: “Hot Chocolate” Hangs Up Her Gloves
In a move that has stunned the MMA community, UFC strawweight Cheyanne “Hot Chocolate” Vlismas has announced her retirement from mixed martial arts. The 28-year-old fighter, known for her exciting fighting style and charismatic personality, broke the news on Monday, ending her professional career after just four fights in the UFC.
The Contender Series alumna leaves behind a budding career that showed tremendous promise but was frequently interrupted by personal challenges and circumstances outside the octagon.
A Career Cut Short
Vlismas first caught the attention of UFC fans when she secured a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020. Her UFC tenure, while brief, featured memorable moments including dominant wins over Gloria de Paula and Mallory Martin.
Her last appearance in the octagon came in December 2021, where she secured a unanimous decision victory over Mallory Martin. That fight now stands as the final chapter in her professional fighting career.
I’ve followed Vlismas since her Contender Series days, and there was always something special about her fighting spirit. She brought an intensity to the cage that made her fights must-watch television, regardless of where they fell on the card.
Personal Struggles Behind the Scenes
While Vlismas compiled a respectable 2-1 record in the UFC (7-2 overall), her career was marked by significant periods of inactivity. After her victory over Martin, she disappeared from competition for nearly two years, citing personal issues that prevented her from competing.
In previous interviews, Vlismas had cryptically mentioned “battling something no one knows about” and revealed she had been living in an undisclosed location outside the United States due to these personal challenges.
These circumstances led to her removal from the UFC rankings despite her winning record, as she was unable to maintain an active fighting schedule.
What’s Next for “Hot Chocolate”?
While Vlismas hasn’t detailed her post-fighting plans, her departure leaves a gap in the women’s strawweight division, which has been one of the UFC’s most competitive weight classes in recent years.
For fans of the fighter formerly known as Cheyanne Buys (she reverted to her maiden name following her divorce from fellow fighter JP Buys), this announcement marks the end of a career that, while short, certainly left its mark on the sport.
| Cheyanne Vlismas UFC Career | Result |
|---|---|
| vs. Mallory Martin (Dec 2021) | Win (Unanimous Decision) |
| vs. Gloria de Paula (July 2021) | Win (KO/TKO) |
| vs. Montserrat Ruiz (March 2021) | Loss (Unanimous Decision) |
| Dana White’s Contender Series (2020) | Win (Contract Earned) |
A Fighter’s Legacy
Though her time in the spotlight was brief, Vlismas demonstrated the heart and skill that could have potentially carried her to the upper echelons of the division given time. Her first-round head kick knockout of Gloria de Paula remains one of the most highlight-worthy finishes in recent women’s strawweight history.
You have to wonder what might have been if circumstances had been different. The division loses a talented competitor with this retirement, but at just 28 years old, Vlismas makes this decision with plenty of life ahead of her.
The Fighting Road Ahead
The retirement of fighters like Vlismas reminds us of the challenging nature of MMA careers. With the physical demands, personal sacrifices, and unpredictable trajectory of fighting careers, many promising talents find themselves making difficult decisions about their futures in the sport.
For now, we say goodbye to “Hot Chocolate” in the octagon, with appreciation for the excitement she brought to the cage during her time as a professional fighter.
What are your favorite memories of Cheyanne Vlismas in the UFC? Drop a comment below with your thoughts on her retirement and career highlights.
Source: Vox