MMA fighters, UFC, Strikeforce, Mixed Martial Arts fights and results MMA & UFC Fighter News

UFC's Ricardo Almeida retires from MMA

By: Brian Lopez-Benchimol Posted On: March 31, 2011 at 4:24pm
UFC

After over ten-years involved in the mixed martial arts world as a professional fighter, Ricardo Almeid has decided to hang it up on active competition.

The former King of Pancrase and former UFC contender recently suffered his second loss in his last three outings when he squared off with the surging Mike Pyle at UFC 128, which took place in his own backyard of Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential Center earlier this month.

Now, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt will watch quietly on the sides as the sport grows, however will remain a fixture in the community as he continues to train a new crop fighters, which includes current UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, among many others.

Almeida, 34, returned to the UFC after a four-year layoff from the sport and since his return has put together a 5-3 record inside the octagon. After suffering the loss to Pyle, Almeida made mention of his retirement in a formal statement on his website:

Back In 2008 I Decided To Return To MMA. Since Then I Have Had The Privilege Of Fighting Eight Times In The UFC. As A Competitor I Can Think Of No Bigger Thrill Than To Stand In The Center Of The Octagon With My Hands Raised.

During These Almost Four Years It Has Been A Personal Struggle To Find Balance Between My Fighting Career, Caring For My Son Who Was Diagnosed With Autism Soon After I Signed A Six-Fight Deal With The UFC, Teaching At My Growing Jiu Jitsu Academy And The Family Duties We All Have.

MMA Is A Great Sport But Also Physically And Mentally Unforgiving. It Is A Dangerous Task To Step In The Octagon, Specially If Your Focus Is Not At 100%.

After Much Deliberation Since My Fight At UFC 128 I Have Decided To Step Away From The Sport As A Fighter.

I Will Continue To Fully Support The UFC As A Coach And Of Course As A Big Fan. I Would Like To Thank Lorenzo Fertitta And Dana White For Their Leadership And Vision Which Brought The Sport To New Heights. I Would Also Like To Thank Joe Silva For Giving Me The Opportunity To Compete Among The Best Martial Artists In The World.

Renzo Gracie, Mark Henry, Frankie Edgar And All My Teammates Who I Could Not Have Gone Through This Challenge Without.

Finally I Would Like To Thank My Wife, Children And Family As Well As My Students. You Will Have My Integral Dedication From Here On.

Lastly The Fans Who Make MMA The Greatest Sport There Is.

Ricardo Almeida.”

Sound off in the comment section below.

Comments

Name

Email

Comment

Subscribe to comments feed