One of the most decorated athletes (both male and female) in BJJ has announced she will not be competing anymore. The 8x World champion announced prior to Worlds 2016 that this will be her last competition. She took the opportunity to say goodbye on the mat after finishing her journey at the Worlds 2016 yesterday.

#Respect Michelle Nicolini ??❤??????????????? #Repost @therealcockyron with @repostapp ・・・ This is a bitter sweet moment for all my checkmat family and myself. While I’m happy you will be pursing your mma career. I’m sad to see you go from sport jiu jitsu and I won’t be able to train and learn from as I have the past few years. I’m very thankful and appreciative for all that you’ve done for the sport, women’s bjj and help you’ve given me. I wish you all the best in OneFc, look forward to seeing you succeed there. And I’m always here to get beat up by you haha???kkkkkkk ?? ➖ Este é um momento doce amargo para toda a minha família CheckMat e eu. Enquanto eu estou feliz que você será perseguir sua carreira de MMA. Estou triste vê-lo ir de jitsu esporte jiu e eu não vou ser capaz de treinar e aprender como eu tenho nos últimos anos. Estou muito grato e agradecido por tudo que você fez para o esporte, bjj e ajuda da mulher que você me deu. Desejo-lhe tudo de melhor em OneFc, ansiosos para vê-lo a ter sucesso lá. E eu estou sempre aqui para apanhar por você kkkkkkk we will miss u @michellenicolinibjj #checkmatbjj #jiujitsu #bjj #michellenicolini @checkmathq

A video posted by Checkmat-São Paulo (@checkmatsp) on Jun 5, 2016 at 5:07pm PDT

Nicolini is currently 34 years old so it’s quite impressive she’s made it to the finals and managed to keep up (for much of it) with 23 year old daughter of Megaton Diaz, Mackenzie Dern. Athletes over 30 typically have the option of competing in the Masters division but some of them still choose to fight the young up and comers. You can read more about the difference between masters and adult divisions here.

Nicolini lost to Dern in the finale of her weight class via Rear Crucifix from Omoplata:

Michele Nicolini has made this announcement previously while talking with BJJForum.com.br While she is still interested in BJJ super fights and ADCC type championships her days of competing in open bjj tournaments are over.

She is cited saying that the decision was made several months ago. It appeared to have been a difficult decision but Nicolini still has a lot of willingness and desire to keep on fighting.  She is currently focused on her career in MMA. Her MMA record stands at 2 wins by submission. A debut in One Championship is expected sometimes in September although no date has been set just yet. A champion like Nicolini will be a welcome addition to a burgeoning MMA organization.