The UFC announced today that popular middleweight Brian Stann has retired from MMA competition, in favour of a new role with Fox Sports South as an ACC American Football broadcast commentator.
The 2-time Fight of the Night winner told Fox Sports, “I played football from second grade on, then after football, I went to Iraq and was near several explosions, and then there was my eight-year MMA career. I just want to reduce my risk for CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease) so I can enjoy my family. It’s tough.”
“As a father of three, I can’t just think about me. It’s not about pride. It’s not about glory. It’s not about personal goals. My No. 1 job in life is a husband and then a father. That’s not just about providing for them. I want to enjoy every moment with my kids.”
A former US Marine Corps captain, Stann’s MMA career took off with a 6-0 streak, with ‘The All American’ claiming the WEC light-heavyweight championship in 2008.
Competing in the UFC from 2009 onwards, Stann cut down to the middleweight division following a 2-2 record at 205lbs. From there, his reputation regained form as a fearsome fight finisher, with a FOTN victory over Mike Massenzio, and crushing knockouts of Chris Leben, Jorge Santiago, and Alession Sakara. 185lb losses came at the hands of Chael Sonnen, Michael Bisping, and most recently Wanderlei Silva, of which brought MMA fans to their feet as an all-out brawl, certain to be a front runner for Fight of the Year.
Completing a 7-year MMA run at the age of 32, Stann totalled a career record of 12-6, featuring 9 knockouts, with 8 first round finishes.
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