Uriah Hall, the middleweight fighter who produced perhaps the most spectacular knockout in the history of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts at the age of 38.
Hall confirmed his retirement in a lengthy post to social media, saying that although he didn’t realise his dream of becoming a world champion, his career has left him with a lifetime of memories. The kickboxing standout faced some of the greatest middleweight fighters in history throughout his career, and can claim wins against the likes of Anderson Silva, Chris Weidman and Gegard Mousasi.
However, he has opted to step away from the sport after successive defeats against Sean Strickland and Andre Muniz, the latter of which came at last month’s UFC 276.
“It is with great sadness that I will be stepping away from the greatest sport in the world,” Hall wrote on Instagram. “I’m going to miss the incredible UFC staff that has became like family and the mentors I have met along the way. The UFC has given me the best opportunity to step completely outside my comfort zone.
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“Throughout the years I’ve gone up against some of the best in the world at the highest level. Although I did not achieve the rank of world champion I’ve acquired some of my greatest achievements from mixed martial arts and that was facing my fears and being a champion in life.
“I want to thank the incredible fans, you guys made the sport what it is today,” he wrote. “It is important to have the right people around you that care for you and encourage you to become a better version of yourself. I want to thank my team my coaches my friends and my family always standing by me. You all have been the driving force that encouraged me daily.
“Lastly, I want to specifically thank Dana White for giving me the opportunity to collide with modern day gladiators. Thank you for always supporting me thru the good and the bad… To the next generation, you are the top 1% greatest athletes on the planet. Will be a pleasure to watch where you all take this sport from here. I will be watching! Goforth.”
