Former WSOF Women?s Strawweight Champion Jessica Aguilar is coming off of an unsuccessful run in the UFC, where she won just one of five bouts.
Aguilar is looking to turn things around in 2020, which will also serve as the final year of her professional MMA career.
?It?s taken a while (to process). I?ve had to sit on this for a while,? Aguilar told MMA Junkie. ?Just look at the reality: I?ve been fighting for a long time, my body has gone through a lot. I know I?ve still got it and I went through a rough patch, and it?s hard to say. It?s hard to transition and say, ?Hey, it?s time for retirement. But it?s the truth. It?s reality, and you have to face reality. It sucks, but I had my time, and it?s time for me to use that and pass it along ? use what I?ve learned and experienced in the sport to help other female athletes, whether it?s opening up a gym in the future and teaching or speaking to women and sharing what I know. There?s so many things, but it?s time for me to transition. It?s not easy, but that?s life. Everything comes to an end. It?s just accepting and going with the flow. I was bitter for a long time, but now I understand. I did it. It?s OK. I can say I was best in the world. I can say I did it and I?ll continue doing martial arts for the rest of my life in some way or form, but everything comes to an end.?
The fighter has had a ton of success outside of the UFC, winning five of six under the Bellator MMA banner and going undefeated in the WSOF.
A soon to be retiring Aguilar wanted to reach 30 fights before retirement, which means she will have to fight twice this year to achieve that goal.
?My goal was to have 30 fights, and I?m at 28. So it would be two fights this year, but you know: MMA,? Aguilar said. ?So that?s my goal. I would feel comfortable to have 30 fights, but it all depends. There are different factors when it comes to that. When my body is good and in the swing of things, I?ve fought three, four times a year. But my goal is two (more) fights.?
No fights have been announced yet by Aguilar, but the fighter is actively seeking a new home to compete at before retiring.