Ricardo Almeida (13-5) har förlorat två av sina tre senaste matcher och har bestämt sig från att lämna proffslivet bakom sig. I ett meddelande på Almeidas Facebooksida gick han ut med nyheten. Han skriver såhär:
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 är framstående grappler som innehar tredje gradens svarta bälte i BJJ och som varit aktiv inom MMA först mellan 2000-2004 och som sen gjorde en comeback 2008-2011. Under sin karriär inom MMA hann han med att bli Pancrase mellanviktsmästare genom att slå Nathan Marquardt 2003 och slog fighters som Minowa, Misaki, Matt Horwich, Kendall Grove, Matt Brown och sin sista vinst blev den mot TJ Grant.
Inom grappling vann Almeida 1997 VM i BJJ som brunbälte och inom ADCC placerade han sig på pallen fyra gånger.
Big Dog, som Almeida kallas, har troligen inte hämta mycket mer nu som proffs. Men han lär absolut finnas med i scenen ändå och träna upp och coacha massor av bra fighters.
