Thomas was in Robertson’s corner as she challenged Mackenzie Dern for the Ultimate Fighting Championship strawweight title at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. Robertson had no answer for Dern on the mat and in the stand-up, making for a lackluster performance and a one-sided title retention for the champ.
Din Thomas on no longer cornering fighters after UFC 330: ‘It’s not fair to them’
Thomas subsequently announced his retirement from cornering during the UFC 330 post-show. The former UFC fighter explained that he wanted to see Robertson through as far as she could reach and believes the failed title bid might have been the height of success that Robertson can achieve in the sport.
While Thomas will continue to help fighters, he doesn’t want to operate as a cornerman, as it takes a lot of commitment.
“I told myself I would continue to do this until I took Gillian as far as she could go,” Thomas said. “I think that might be as far as she can go and I am officially retiring from cornering fighters tonight. I’m doing the Matt Serra, I’m no longer cornering fighters… I’ll still work with guys. I just don’t want to go down the road. It’s a lot of work; it’s a lot of stress. You got to be there all week. I don’t cut weight with them; it’s not fair to them. They need somebody who’s going to put in that type of work in with them.”
Thomas (26-9) was a semifinalist in “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2006 and went on to have three short stints in the UFC. He retired from fighting in 2013 and has been working as an analyst with the UFC for the past few years.
Din Thomas announced that he is retiring from cornering fighters
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