Catone (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Next month’s UFC on FOX 15 won’t feature a bout between Vitor Miranda and Nick Catone after all, as the latter has announced he’s retiring from fighting.

Catone was scheduled to fight Miranda at the April 18th event, but on Wednesday, the 33 year-old tweeted:

It was a great ride the last 6+ yrs w/ @ufc it's time for me to step away. I would like to thank @danawhite @lorenzofertitta for everything.

— Nick Catone UFC (@NickCatone) March 25, 2015

In a follow up report from MMA Fighting.com, Catone relayed that he’s decided to retire due to ongoing injuries, and more specifically, issues with his back. The middleweight has fought just once since 2012, when he lost a split decision to Tom Watson in February, 2014.

Catone, who is a BJJ black belt and operates several gyms in New Jersey, went 10-4 during his career.