Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Junior Dos Santos has taken to social media to confirm his retirement from the world’s leading MMA promotion.
Recently it became known that the UFC management has decided to part with two veterans of the heavy division, the aforementioned Dos Santos and the Dutchman Alistair Overeem.
Thanks @ufc for a great 12 years! I fought through MMA’s Murderer’s Row to get my shot at the belt. Holding and defending it was one of the great honors of my life. Thanks to every opponent, thanks to every fan and every critic. I’m going to spend some time back at the drawing board, but I’m excited to move on OSS
Dos Santos has been in the UFC since 2008. From November 12, 2011 to December 29, 2012, the Brazilian held the organization’s heavyweight championship belt. After that, Junior’s career passed with varying success, and Dos Santos lost the last four fights ahead of schedule.