Ricardo Almeida has announced his retirement from MMA competition, citing the difficulties of finding a balance between his UFC career, his role as a father and his jiu-jitsu academy.
Almeida, who first retired in 2004, returned to active competition in 2008 after inking a six-fight deal with the UFC. Soon after the signing, Almeida’s son was diagnosed with autism, one of the specific reasons why Almeida has struggled to devote a sufficient amount of time towards fighting.
“MMA is a great sport but also physically and mentally unforgiving. It is a dangerous task to step in the octagon, especially if your focus is not at 100 percent,” Almeida said. “After much deliberation since my fight at UFC 128 I have decided to step away from the sport as a fighter.”