Brian Stann (pictured) has retired from MMA competition. Photo via UFC.com.
Brian Stann is done with the mixed martial arts arena.
The former WEC light heavyweight champion and UFC middleweight announced Wednesday that he is retiring from the sport, choosing to focus on family and a broadcasting career.
“It’s the best thing for me, and more importantly for my family right now,” Stann said on The MMA Hour. “I’m still going to be involved as much as the UFC will allow me to be in the UFC, and continuing to be an ambassador for the sport. But as far as competing anymore, as sad as it makes me, it’s not the best thing for me as a husband and a father, which by far is the most important thing to me. I sacrificed more than I gained, and it’s time for me to focus on my family.”
Stann most recently fought at UFC on Fuel TV in Japan, a loss to Wanderlei Silva. The fighter admitted that if he had beaten Silva, he likely would have stayed in the sport, but the loss was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
In addition to being a fighter, Stann completed two tours of duty in the Middle East as a U.S. Marine. He also kept a full-time job while competing in the WEC and UFC.
“The relationships and experiences I’ve gotten from fans and fellow fighters have honestly made me a much better person,” he said. “I leave fighting having taken more from fighting than I have ever gave.”
Stann finishes his career with a 12-6 record.
