[FlashinLeather]

Hard not to like this guy and its refreshing to see a fighter retire before it gets ugly.

"Back in 2008 I decided to return to MMA. Since then I have had the privilege of fighting eight times in the UFC. As a competitor I can think of no bigger thrill than to stand in the center of the octagon with my hands raised.

During these almost four years it has been a personal struggle to find balance between my fighting career, caring for my son who was diagnosed with autism soon after I signed a six-fight deal with the UFC, teaching at my growing Jiu Jitsu Academy and the family duties we all have.

MMA is a great sport but also physically and mentally unforgiving. It is a dangerous task to step in the octagon, specially if your focus is not at 100%.

After much deliberation since my fight at UFC 128 I have decided to step away from the sport as a fighter.

I will continue to fully support the UFC as a coach and of course as a big fan. I would like to thank Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White for their leadership and vision which brought the sport to new heights. I would also like to thank Joe Silva for giving me the opportunity to compete among the best martial artists in the world.

Renzo Gracie, Mark Henry, Frankie Edgar and all my teammates who I could not have gone through this challenge without.

Finally I would like to thank my wife, children and family as well as my students. You will have my integral dedication from here on.

Lastly the fans who make MMA the greatest sport there is.

Ricardo Almeida."

[Vaughany]

Yeah good decision IMO, he isn't gettin any younger and I think its good tht he realizes he's never gonna get near to challenging for a title and he hasn't got the stand-up ability or more importantly a chin to be one of the gatekeeper like characters such as Lytle who stick around to just put on "entertaining fights" for the fans. You could sort of tell in the Pyle fight that his heart wasnt completely in it and he was gettin more and more frustrated as the fight went on. His strengths clearly lie in coaching, I think a big part of Edgar's development as a fighter can be attributed to Almeida's influence. Dude is a legend anyway!

[ttrace35]