Despite all the strides mixed martial arts made in 2011, fans cannot help but feel at least a little sad for all the big names that retired last year.
After taking a beating at the hands of former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz at UFC 137, former two-time UFC champion BJ Penn made an emotional farewell as he announced his retirement from the sport to commentator Joe Rogan following the fight. But Penn appears to have a flame lit under him as recent Twitter wars with Diaz and others shows that Penn may not be done with the sport just yet.
A few months later, former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar also decided to step away from the sport. Citing his apparent inability to remain viable against top level competition, Lesnar left MMA following a brutal defeat at the hands of Alistair Overeem at UFC 141.
In this video, Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Matt Juul helps break down five fighters who should shake off the retirement rust and get back into the cage.
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