[BREAKING] Jörgen Kruth Cancels UFC Debut & Retires

STUDIO MMA, RIVERSIDE, CA – Swedish Muay Thai and kickboxing specialist, Jörgen “The Last Viking” Kruth, will not make his anticipated octagon debut against Fabio Maldonado at UFC on Fuel TV 5 in Nottingham, England.  Instead, Kruth has opted to retired at the age of 38, with a mixed martial arts record of 5-0.  Kruth is considered among the greatest Scandinavian Muay Thai fighters of all time.

Expressen, a Swedish magazine, broke the news early Friday morning. (Translated by StudioMMA.com)

Kruth’s decision to retire has a lot to do with age and not feeling like a young stallion, so to speak.

I have been thinking for a long time. However I feel it’s time now. I neither have the motivation or focus and my body doesn’t respond anymore. I’m not getting the results that I want. I’m not in the top level to compete anymore and feel it doesn’t work anymore. If I don’t reach my best then I don’t want to compete anymore, I will retire now while I’m up there.

Nonetheless, Kruth has accomplished more in his career then most will dream of or even come close to.  Along with an undefeated record in MMA, Kruth holds a boxing record of 1-0 and an astonishing kickboxing record of 71-14-2.  He will sadly be missed by his fans, who have always loved his aggressive and entertaining fighting style.

I have had an incredible career. I have been crowned the world champion in Muay Thai and competed for K1 in Japan and Thailand. Yet I still have enjoyed fighting in Sweden in front of my fans, the support has been unbelievable.

Which 205 pounder should replace Jörgen Kruth at UFC on Fuel TV 5?