By FCF Staff

After scoring over 100 professional wins and fighting professionally since 1994, MMA pioneer and UFC Hall of Famer Dan Severn has announced he’s retiring from the sport at the age of 54.

Severn, who hasn’t fought since April when he earned a unanimous decision victory over Alex Rozman, made the announcement via his official website.

“The No. 1 goal that I set for myself in 2012 was to be finished with my mixed martial arts competition career,” said Severan. “I was attempting to do my own self-directed retirement tour in the last couple of years reaching out to only three people – Mark Coleman, Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie. … It seems as though these matches will not take place for whatever reasons, and my life now goes on to the next chapter.”

The former All American wrestler also announced that 2013 will be the last year where he competes in professional wrestling matches. Several also relayed that he will continue to work as a play-by-play commentator and “ambassador” for the sport.

Severn made his UFC debut in December, 1994, and after submitting Anthony Macias and Marcus Bossett, he was tapped out by Royce Gracie via triangle choke in the competition’s historic final.

Severn returned at UFC 5 and went on to win the tourney by scoring victories over Joe Charles, Oleg Taktarov and Dave Beneteau.

During his near 20 year career, Severn also competed for organizations like PRIDE, King of the Cage, Gladiator Challenge, The Maximum Fighting Championship, and Universal Vale Tudo among many, many others.

“The Beast” will leave the sport having put together a record of 101-19-7.