Wilks (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Former “Ultimate Fighter” competitor and Lightning MMA coach James Wilks has announced that he is retiring from professional mixed-martial-arts. The British fighter made the announcement via his Twitter account.

A few of you have been asking when my next fight is. Unfortunately, I have had to retire due to injury. Now coaching @lightningmma

Due to injuries, Wilks hasn’t fought since October, 2010, when he dropped a unanimous decision loss to Claude Patrick at UFC 120.

During this time with the UFC, the 34 year-old welterweight scored wins over DaMarques Johnson and Peter Sobotta, with an additional loss coming to Matt Brown.

Wilks reportedly told MMA Junkie that a persistent neck injury, which has evolved into a severe case of spinal stenosis, prompted a warning from his doctors that he should retire or risk paralysis.

The welterweight leaves active competition armed with a record of 7-4.

Wilks and fellow UFC vet Mike Guymon are instructors at the Lightning MMA facility in Laguna Hills, California.