Former UFC Contender Alan Belcher Announces Retirement

Former UFC middleweight contender Alan Belcher announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on Friday via Periscope.

“I'm done fighting. I'm finished. I'll never, ever fight again. This is my official retirement,” he said.

The 31-year-old made his professional fighting debut in 2004. After stringing together a six-fight winning streak in 2006, Belcher was signed by the UFC. He made his first octagon appearance at UFC 62 in August 2006, losing to Yushin Okami by unanimous decision.

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After a rocky start in the promotion, Belcher rose through the ranks with wins over Ed Herman, Denis Kang, Patrick Cote and Rousimar Palhares and was on the cusp of a title shot in 2012.

A title fight never materialized for “The Talent.” He was defeated by Okami a second time at UFC 155, and lost a technical decision to Michael Bisping, where he suffered an eye poke that rendered him unable to continue in his last outing at UFC 159 in April 2013.

Belcher accumulated an 18-8 record throughout his nine-year fighting career. Belcher plans to continue teaching at his gym and focus on his online business.

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