John (The Natural) Alessio gave his fans a bit of a scare on Sunday.
The Duncan, B.C., native, who now lives and trains in Las Vegas, announced on Facebook and Twitter that he was retiring from MMA.
The 32-year-old wrote on Facebook Sunday afternoon: “After some talk with my wife i have decided to retire from MMA fighting, its been a wonderful but yet frustrating journey, seems like a return to UFC wont happen. I have made lots of good friends and met lots of great people, time to start a new chapter in my life… thank you all for your love and support over the years of my career.”
He also sent out a couple of tweets at about the same time.
You all know how hard I’ve been working to get back in UFC, doesn’t look like it will ever happen, so I’m announcing my retirement from MMA
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) April 1, 2012
Its been a wonderful but yet frustrating journey, thank you for the support
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) April 1, 2012
Four hours later, he reminded everyone that it was April 1st.
So I should probably say April Fools!!!!!!!! ……. No I’m not done fighting, I’m on a mission!
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) April 2, 2012
His Facebook post had received 47 comments as of Monday morning, with some wishing him good luck on his next chapter, but many suggesting it was a traditional April Fool’s joke. Indeed, they were right.
Alessio is coming off a decision win over Ryan Healy two weeks ago at an event in Hamilton. It was his third straight victory — his second in a row since dropping to lightweight — and he’s won 10 of his past 11. He and his fans have been campaigning for the Canadian to return to the UFC.
Despite his impressive showings lately, he may need at least one more win.
Fellow Canadian Patrick (The Predator) Cote, who has the added advantage of working for the UFC as an analyst for its French broadcasts, said last week the UFC told him his three-fight win streak wasn’t enough and he needed another victory over a big opponent. Cote got it over the weekend, knocking out Gustavo Machado in the latter’s native Brazil.
Alessio appeared in the UFC three times, losing to Pat Miletich by submission in June 2000 and dropping decisions to Diego Sanchez and Thiago Alves in 2006. He last fought for a Zuffa promotion in March 2008 when he lost by disqualification to Brock Larson at WEC 33 after hitting him with a knee to the head while he was downed. That snapped a three-fight run in the promotion that was purchased by the UFC’s parent company.
Prior to that, Alessio lost to current UFC interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit in a fight for the WEC’s 170-pound title.
The UFC is hosting three events in Canada in 2012 — July 21 in Calgary, Sept. 22 in Toronto and Nov. 17 in Montreal — and Alessio (34-14) would be a fine addition to the organization’s Canadian roster.
