The impact of Matt Schnell’s retirement on the flyweight division.

Matt Schnell, who is also known by his nickname ‘Danger’ has been among the most exciting fighters in the UFC’s flyweight division for the past few years. His fights have always been tactically intense with high tempo and he always engages the fans especially when he gave a good account of himself in some of the most entertaining fights. Schnell’s decision to retire is a big blow to the flyweight division, a division that has been going through some radical changes in the recent past. In this article, we will discuss how his retirement will impact the flyweight division, the possibilities that other fighters will have, the history of the division and the future of the flyweight class after Schnell.

1. Matt Schnell: The Journey

Matt Schnell joined the UFC flyweight division in 2016 when he fought on the reality show “The Ultimate Fighter” season 24 in which champions from different organizations competed for a title shot at the then flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. Schnell may not have taken home the victory in the tournament but he did get a UFC contract out of it. It didn’t take long for Schnell to gain a reputation for being an entertaining fighter, who would always stand and trade, and never back down from a fight, while also having great submission skills.

One of the best performances was at UFC 269 in December 2021 where he fought with Brandon Royval and put up a great display of toughness and pressure. Despite his defeat, he was known to have given his best and thus enhanced his reputation of being a great performer. Another memorable bout was his contest with Su Mudaerji at UFC Long Island in July 2022; a thrilling contest that many people believe was one of the best flyweight bouts in the history of the organization. Schnell’s ability to get out of the near finishes and then come back to get the submission win showed that Schnell is a true warrior in the Octagon and fans and other fighters praised him for it.

Schnell has wins over top-ranked opponents in his career such as Tyson Nam and Louis Smolka. Schnell never got to win the UFC gold but he was able to bring excitement and tough fights to the division.

2. The Flyweight Division: An Overview

In order to explain the effects of Matt Schnell’s retirement, it is necessary to go through the history and development of the flyweight division. The flyweight division was added into the UFC in 2012 and the first champion of the division was Johnson Demetrious Mighty Mouse through a tournament that involved the best fighters globally. Johnson would go on to become one of the most successful champions in the history of UFC, holding the title from 2012 to 2018, and making 11 successful title defenses, another UFC record.

Nevertheless, Johnson was supreme in the division, yet the flyweight was not able to achieve the same level of popularity as the other weight classes in the UFC. The first problem was the notion that flyweights could not deliver KO’s, as most fans preferred other weight classes where fighters could knock opponents out with a single strike. Johnson’s skills were usually overlooked and there was a time when the UFC was thinking of closing the division.

Changes started happening when Henry Cejudo defeated Demetrious Johnson by a split decision at UFC 227 in 2018. Cejudo’s win was the start of a new chapter for the flyweight division as he would later on become the bantamweight champion which only elevated the status of both divisions. Cejudo’s rivalry with TJ Dillashaw, who moved to the flyweight division to challenge him for the title and his subsequent retirement after capturing the bantamweight title also provided the much needed excitement to the flyweight division.

The division was left without Cejudo and the division saw new champions like Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno who had an amazing trilogy between 2020 and 2022. The Figueiredo-Moreno rivalry became the best rivalry that the fans could ask for and played a big role in building the flyweight division as one of the best divisions in the UFC.

3. Where Matt Schnell Stands in the Flyweight Division?

Thus, in the world of flyweight division that is becoming more and more competitive and diverse, Matt Schnell established himself as a dangerous fighter. Schnell was never a fighter who could be described as a puncher or a knock-out artist but a fighter who had a lot of heart and a great technique. His grappling was also very effective, especially the guillotine choke which he used to win many fights in the UFC. In addition, Schnell was able to deliver exciting fights for the fans which made him a contender for the title even when he was not the champion.

Schnell was a member of the flyweight division which also featured other talented fighters such as Alexandre Pantoja, Askar Askarov and Brandon Royval. This group of fighters played a big role in taking the division out of the shadow of Demetrious Johnson and bring new life into the division. It was crucial for Schnell to be there as he is the kind of fighter that can both provide excitement to the audience and challenge anyone in the division.

Schnell never got to be the flyweight champion of the world but his fights were always among the most exciting on any given card. His exciting victory over Su Mudaerji in which he was knocked down several times but managed to submit his opponent with a triangle choke is a clear testament as to why Schnell was such a fan favourite in the division. The fighters such as Schnell are important in any weight division because they help fans stay interested in the division even when there are no title shots to be had.

4. Schnell’s Retirement and Its Effect on Flyweight Division

Matt Schnell’s retirement is a good chance for other fighters in the flyweight division to advance in the rankings. This made him one of the top 10 fighters in the division and this meant that any young or relatively unknown fighter wishing to rise through the ranks had to fight him. With Schnell out of the way, the likes of Su Mudaerji, Amir Albazi and Manel Kape will be able to climb the rankings more easily.

Also, Schnell’s retirement could change the landscape of matchmaking in the flyweight division. His absence will mean one less veteran to challenge the prospects, which may result in some great new bouts between the new contenders. Contenders such as Matheus Nicolau and Muhammad Mokaev, both highly-touted prospects, may well climb the ladder quicker than they would have done had Schnell remained in the division.

In addition, Schnell’s exit also raises the question of why the UFC should keep on nurturing talent in the flyweight division. Despite the division’s revival in the recent past, the division is still one of the smallest in terms of the number of players. The UFC will have to go on scouting and signing new talents as the division needs to be filled with strong fighters and entertaining match-ups.

5. The future of flyweight division without Matt Schnell.

 With Matt Schnell calling it a career, the flyweight division is losing a man who was always a part of entertaining, action-packed bouts. His absence will be surely missed by the fans who were expecting his fights, knowing that they will see the top level competition with the warrior’s mentality.

 Nevertheless, Schnell’s retirement also offers the division a chance to keep on developing and expanding. The flyweight division is in a transitional phase at the moment and new fighters are coming through to replace the old guard including Schnell. Some of the current fighters include Brandon Royval, Askar Askarov, and Alexandre Pantoja but the next generation of flyweight fighters is on the rise and Schnell’s departure will only fast track this process.

 The emergence of talents such as Muhammad Mokaev who is still undefeated and has a lot of potential is a good indication of the future of the flyweight division. Mokaev’s combination of wrestling, grappling, and striking skills make him one of the most entertaining prospects in the UFC and his rise may generate new rivalries and big fights in the future. Also, Matheus Nicolau, who has been compiling a decent record in the UFC without much fanfare, could be a title contender in the near future with good matchups.

 This is also likely to create a vacancy in the UFC flyweight division which may allow more international talents to join the organization. The division has traditionally been populated by fighters from North and South America but with the expansion of the MMA throughout the world more flyweight contenders from Asia and Eastern Europe are emerging. The UFC can take this as a chance to bring in more talents in the flyweight division from areas that have been neglected in the division.

 6. The Life and Legacy of Schnell and the Flyweight Division.

 Though Matt Schnell never got the championship belt, he has left his mark in the flyweight division. Schnell’s fights were always exciting and it is for this reason that the fighter was able to capture the attention of the UFC. Bout contenders such as Schnell, who always provide great shows, contribute to the fans’ interest in the weight classes that may not receive much attention.

 This paper shall also look at Schnell’s resilience in the face of adversity in his fights and in his career as something that can inspire future fighters. He was a warrior in the cage with a great amount of technical ability and heart; his efforts in the flyweight division will not be forgotten. Although the champions and the top contenders will always grab the most spotlight, fighters like Schnell are the pillars of the division, bringing in the action that the fans crave for.

 Also, Schnell’s retirement is evidence of the fact that the sport of MMA is not only demanding on the physical aspect of the fighters but also on the psychological aspect. Flyweight division is one of the most active divisions where the fighters do not stop for a moment and this leads to more demanding bouts. Schnell’s decision to retire should be applauded as it is an indication that fighters should consider quitting the ring at some point in their career for the benefit of their future health.

 Conclusion: The New Era of the Flyweight Division: Post Schnell Era

The flyweight division is at an interesting position after Matt Schnell’s decision to retire. He has left the federation after an exciting and energetic period full of his fights and performances. Schnell was a fighter who had a great combination of technique and entertainment in the cage and his loss will be surely missed by the fans and the fellow athletes. But his retirement also opens up the flyweight division for new fighters, for the future and a new generation of fighters.

 This is especially the case as the flyweight division keeps on developing, and the gap left by Schnell’s departure means that new fighters get an opportunity to come in and make their mark. Other new talents include Muhammad Mokaev while the division also has other fighters such as Brandon Royval and Askar Askarov. These fighters are now getting a chance to shine and their performances will define the future of the weight division.

 Also, Schnell’s retirement raises the question on the future of the UFC’s future as the organization continues to search for the next generation of fighters in every weight class. This is the best proof of the UFC’s desire to create great and competitive fights, and the flyweight division is no exception. This shall make the division more exciting and interesting as new fighters are introduced, and new rivalries are formed.

 Thus, Schnell’s legacy shows that every fighter is important for the development of the sport in general. Although Schnell didn’t have a championship belt around his waist, his contribution in entertaining the fans and challenging the flyweight division cannot be overemphasized. His fights will be remembered for the spirit and desire with which he entered the cage and his career will always be an example of the commitment that is needed to practice the sport of MMA.

 With Matt Schnell out of the picture, the flyweight division will still go on and deliver the entertainment that makes it one of the best divisions in the UFC. There are new stars waiting to take over and vie for the leadership positions and the audience will be treated to a new batch of exciting fights that will continue the tradition set by Schnell.

 Thus, Matt Schnell’s retirement signals the closing of a chapter in the flyweight division, yet at the same time creates new avenues for the division. The future of the division will be written by the next generation of fighters who will rise to the occasion and take over from Schnell and the rest of the division’s fighters, thus keeping the flyweight division relevant and interesting to the fans of the UFC.