Jason MacDonald (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

One of Canada’s most experienced and accomplished fighters is calling it quits, as Jason “The Athlete” MacDonald has reportedly informed the UFC that he’s retiring. The 37 year-old vet concludes his career having put together a 25-16 record since he began competing well over a decade ago in 1999.

News of MacDonald’s retirement was reported first by the Canadian television network Sportsnet.

MacDonald hadn’t fought since May, 2012, when he was knocked out by Tom Lawlor in the first round at a UFC on FUEL TV event. The defeat came after MacDonald was stopped by Alan Belcher at UFC Fight Night 25 in September, 2011.

The Red Deer fighter forged a reputation for being a dangerous submission artist during his career, as MacDonald recorded tap-out victories over Ed Herman, Chris Leben, Jason Lambert and Ryan Jensen during his UFC tenure.

MacDonald went 5-5 in 10 Octagon bouts, and also fought for Canadian based organizations like the Maximum Fighting Championship, W-1 and Extreme Cage Combat during his career.