Brian Stann, 32, retires from mixed martial arts


StannMarinesBrian Stann has always been one of the most intelligent and realistic fighters in mixed martial arts, and he displayed that intelligence again on Thursday when he announced his retirement from MMA at 32 years old.

Stann made the decision to hang up the gloves after his thrilling fight with Wanderlei Silva earlier this year, but waited a few months to make the announcement. He took a ton of punishment in the Silva fight, and it made him realize that he wanted to get out of the sport and stop being punched in the head before he began showing the effects of brain trauma.

“If you look at my life, I’ve been getting hit in the head since I was in second grade playing football,” Stann told Ariel Helwani during a special edition of The MMA Hour. “I’m now 32 years old. That’s a long time, and there’s only so long that I can roll those dice and be successful. For me, the risk is not worth it.”

Stann’s decision to walk away with his health intact is a breath of fresh air in a sport where so many fighters stick around far longer than they should. Stann understands the traumatic effect that mixed martial arts can have on the brain, and he refused to accept a lower quality of life when he’s older just so he could have a few more years of fame and relative fortune. That’s admirable.

Stann has been a natural television personality since he first began working UFC broadcasts, and he’ll put those talents to good use when he joins Fox Sports South’s broadcast booth for ACC football games this fall. He’ll also continue his work as CEO of Hire Heroes USA, a charity that helps soldiers find decent employment when they transition from military to civilian life.

Stann finishes his MMA career with a 12-6 record.


Categories: Fighting
Jeremy Botter