Patrick Cote explains decision to retire, reflects back on distinguished MMA career

After a 14-year fighting career, Patrick Cote has decided to walk away from the sport of mixed martial arts.

Cote, who’s widely considered a pioneer in Canadian MMA, took his gloves off and placed them in the center of the Octagon last Saturday following his welterweight bout with Thiago Alves at UFC 212. While Cote is 37 years old and has fought for the UFC as early as UFC 50, the retirement ritual of leaving the gloves in the cage surprised many observers, as Cote kept the decision a secret — even from his wife.

“I didn't want to make a big story about it,” Cote told Ariel Helwani on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour. “I wanted to focus on the fight and I wanted people to watch the fight…