Big-show vet Jay Hieron announces MMA retirement

Jay Hieron, who fought in nearly every major organization that MMA had to offer, today announced his retirement.

The 37-year-old made the announcement via social media.

Jus wanna say Thank you to my family,friends, & fans. I'm Officially Retiring from Professional Fighting today!—
Jay Hieron (@Jayhieron) March 07, 2014

Hieron, who hasn’t fought since a February 2013 loss to fellow welterweight Tyron Woodley, concludes his career with a 23-7 mark. A former collegiate wrestler who turned around a once-troubled life due to MMA, he registered six knockouts and seven submissions during his 10-year career.

Hieron, who debuted with with the UFC in just his fifth pro fight and suffered a loss to future champion Georges St-Pierre, went on to compete in a variety of promotions, including the IFL, WEC, Affliction, Strikeforce, Bellator MMA and Legacy FC. He won a Season 4 welterweight tournament with Bellator and then suffered a split-decision defeat to Ben Askren in his subsequent title shot, though he never got the desired rematch with the champ.

During his career, “Thoroughbred” picked up wins over notables such as Pat Healy, Jake Ellenberger, Jason High, Joe Riggs and Rick Hawn. Additionally, every loss came to a notable fighter.

Thanks to an 11-1 run from 2007-2012, Hieron fought his way back to the UFC in 2012. However, following losses to Ellenberger (in their heavily hyped rematch) and Woodley, he was served his walking papers. Despite his career success, he failed to find much success on the sport’s biggest stage and concluded his UFC career with a disappointing 0-4 mark.

However, the well-respected Las Vegas-based fighter almost always proved a tough out for his fellow 170-pounders. Opponents stopped him just three times in his career (excluding a loss via legendary cut to Jonathan Goulet at UFC Fight Night 2 in 2005).

Prior to his most recent bout, which came 13 months ago, Hieron was optimistic about continuing his career.

“I roll out of bed, and I want to go to the gym,” Hieron told MMAjunkie.com Radio at the time. “I want to compete with the best and see where I’m at. As long as I have that mind frame and that’s how I feel, that’s how long I’ll be in the game. I don’t take it as, ‘I’m getting too old.’

“Realistically thinking, everything’s going to slow down and I’m going to have to pull back from that.”

However, he said he felt fulfilled by getting an invitation to return to the UFC for one final run.

“It’s been great. Coming back was great,” he said. “It felt great walking to the cage. The fans gave me a lot of love.”