Brian Stann

By FCF Staff

One of the The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s most respected and popular fighters has decided to hang up the gloves, as Brian “All-American” Stann has announced he’s retiring from competition at the age of 32. Stann was recently handed a position as college football analyst for FOX Sports South, and will continue his duties as a commentator for the network’s UFC broadcasts.

The former Marine and Silva Star winner also relayed that he wants to spend more time with his family, in an interview with FOX Sports, as another reason why he’s retiring from MMA. Stann also cited he wants to “reduce the risk” of incurring chronic traumatic encephalopathy (a degenerative brain disease), as the former WEC light-heavyweight champ played football extensively, and served in Iraq, prior to entering MMA.

Stann (12-6) retires several months removed from his knockout loss to Wanderlei Silva in March, after dropping a unanimous decision loss to Michael Bisping last September. During his 6-5 run with the UFC, the powerful striker scored wins over vets like Alessio Sakara, Chris Leben, and Jorge Santiago.

The retired fighter will also continue to be involved with Hire Heroes USA, which is a charity that works to secure unemployed veterans jobs.