Ivan Salaverry Retires
By Josh Stein on Jun 23, 2008
Long time warrior Ivan Salaverry is hanging it up after a nine year career that includes fights with some of the best in the business.
His career includes seven UFC bouts and two K-1 fights. While many will remember him for his recent losses to Terry Martin and Rousimar Palhares, but others will remember his wins over Tony Frykland and Joe Riggs, which displayed a monstrous submission game, and his losses to Matt Lindland and Nate Marquardt, which displayed his resiliance.
While Ivan is hardly one of the most prominent fighters in the sport, he is a substantial fighter, and a guy who, for much of his career, showed up to fight. Despite two recent bad performances, it’s hard to say that he isn’t a good fighter with a solid career.
About the Author: Joshua Stein is a writer and editor for MMA Opinion. He has worked as a photographer and journalist and has a number of print journalism credits. He also works as a moderator for MMAForum.com and a grappling columnist (covering judo, collegiate wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling) for profighting-fans.com.
Not a bad fighter at all, but I was never a fan for some reason. Maybe because when I do get to watch him, he loses. He’s not big enough name to continue in the MMA world like Couture so what’s he gonna do? Start up a school, become an announcer, or get another job?
Ivan was always one of my favorites. He disappeared for a while (more UFC management and matchmaking than by his choice, from what I read), and when he resurfaced he lost. Tough luck for a good guy.
I recently interviewed him for my site, and he was great to talk to. He’s running his own gym in Seattle, training MMA. You can check out the interview here: http://www.hellasound.com/site/read/respect-and-devotion-interview-with-ivan-salaverry/