Six ex-UFC stars who now have normal jobs from special forces to car salesman

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While MMA stars get thrust into the limelight by joining the world's leading promotion in the form of the UFC – nothing lasts forever.

In fact, many fighters enjoy just a few years at the top of their game and around a decade in the professional sport in total, meaning they need to find other ways to pay the bills down the line.

From a special forces operative to a car salesman and Green Party candidate – we have taken a look at six former UFC stars and what they got up to next.

READ MORE: UFC star Molly McCann 'picking up s***' to stay grounded amid new-found fame and riches

Paulo Thiago

Paulo Thiago is a Brazilian MMA star who fought in the UFC as well as KSW, and Jungle Fight – most recently fighting back in 2019.

Away from the octagon, the 41-year-old spent time in special forces unit BOPE in the military police in his home city of Brasilia.

What job would suit the likes of Conor McGregor and Amanda Nunes? Tell us in the comments section below.

Captain Wesley Santos is quoted as saying at the time: "When society needs help, they call the Police. When the Police need help, they call B.O.P.E. Thiago is a true B.O.P.E officer."

With Thiago saying: "When I go out on an operation, I don't think about if I'm afraid of not returning home."

Tim Sylvia

Former two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia called time on his MMA career back in 2015 with a professional record of 31-10.

The 46-year-old has since taken up a series of different roles in the community, including being a roofing contractor and even a part-time police officer.

He once told his followers: "Test for the police department today. Did written then physical and had first interview last night everything has gone great so far."

Sylvia is also partial to hunting, as he documents on his official Instagram account.

Keith Jardine

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Keith Jardine was active in MMA between 2001 and 2012, claiming notable victories over hall of famers Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin.

After retiring with a professional record of 17-11-2, Jardine moved into the beverage business and becoming the proprietor of Caveman Coffee.

Joe Rogan is quoted as saying of the drink: "Caveman Coffee is a fantastic single source, single origin goodness from a company with impeccable taste and ethics."

Jardine has also recently moved into the film industry as a director.

Rosi Sexton

Rosi Sexton is a former MMA star who once came second in the 2020 Green Party leadership election – and is now an osteopath and climbing enthusiast.

The 45-year-old fought in Cage Warriors and Bellator before becoming the UK's first female UFC fighter – retiring in 2014 having faced off against Jessica Andrade and Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

Sexton, who has black belts in Tae Kwon Do and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, was elected as a Green Party councillor back in 2019 and narrowly missed out in the leadership vote.

As well as her political career, Sexton is a keen climber and scaled the Luzzone Dam in Switzerland back in 2017 for charity.

Brendan Schaub

Brendan Schaub competed in the UFC's heavyweight division between 2009 and 2014, retiring with a professional MMA record of 15-5.

Since calling time on his career, the 39-year-old has become a popular podcast host and even tried his hand at stand-up comedy and releasing a special in 2019.

The former American footballer also dated hall of famer Ronda Rousey, fighting her future husband Travis Browne in his final bout.

Despite his retirement, Schaub was promoted to the rank of black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu last year.

Mark Kerr

Former wrestler and UFC star Mark Kerr called time on his MMA career back in 2009 having won 15 of his 27 bouts and facing the likes of Dan Bobish and Branko Cikatic.

Since stepping away from the sport, the 53-year-old has taken on a slightly less dangerous job in the form of a car salesman.

When a documentary about his life, called The Smashing Machine after his MMA nickname, fans were pleased to see him settled in his new role.

One wrote: "Good to see him doing well in something else. Check out the documentary about him, it's fantastic."

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