Former UFC champ Kevin Randleman retires

A PRIDE, UFC, and Strikeforce veteran, Kevin Randleman has accomplished a lot more than most will when entering the sport of mixed martial arts.

A collegiate wrestling star, Randleman began competing as a fighter in the fetal stages of the sport in 1996 and quickly ascended the ranks in becoming one of the best in his class and eventually worked his way in becoming champion.

However, nearing the age of 40 and winless in his last four bouts, Randleman knew that his time in the sport had come to an end and has finally hung up the gloves for good in what was truly a memorable career.

Kevin last stepped inside the cage this past weekend against submission specialist Baga Agaev in Khabarovsk, Russia under the World Absolute Fighting Championship banner. There, Randleman suffered a first-round armbar loss to the journeyman and after suffering what has been reported as a dislocated elbow, “The Monster” has decided to put an end to his dwindling career.

Agent extraordinaire Ken Pavia tweeted the following of his fighter “Randleman smashed Baga for 4 min before getting arm barred. Says this is the end”.

While no word has come directly from Kevin, whom has won just two out of his last eleven bouts, it looks like now might be the right time to step away.

Randleman leaves behind a legacy of fights that consisted of him capturing the UFC heavyweight title in November of 1999 and defending once against Brazilian legend Pedro Rizzo. After he exited the promotion, Randleman took his talents overseas where he became a mainstay for the PRIDE Fighting Championships where he had memorable bouts with the likes of Fedor Emelianenko, Kazushi Sakuraba, and even a surprise knockout victory over K-1 striker Mirko “Cro Cop”.

Now, Randleman can take solace in the fact that “The Monster” has left a stamp on the sport that he has so dearly nurtured, and if anything has shown that through perseverance dreams are possible.