Nine-time UFC veteran Aaron Riley retires following UFC on FOX 8 loss

After 16 years as a professional mixed martial artist, Aaron Riley (30-14-1 MMA, 3-6 UFC) has decided to call it a career.

The 32-year-old announced his intentions via Twitter following a UFC on FOX 8 loss to Justin Salas.

“Fight my last MMA fight tonight,” Riley wrote. “It’s been fun, but after 16 years I’m calling it good. Thanks to everyone who ever supported my career.”

And Indiana native, Riley turned pro at the ripe old age of 16 and lost just once in his first 13 professional bouts. He made his UFC debut in 2002 against Robbie Lawler at UFC 37, and it was “Ruthless” who took home a decision win. It would be nearly four years before Riley was invited back to the UFC, where he was stopped at the end of the first round against Spencer Fisher after suffering a broken jaw.

Following that loss, Riley would go on to fight for the International Fight League and BodogFIGHT before returning to the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion in 2008. Riley’s final seven fights all took place inside the UFC’s octagon.

At Saturday night’s UFC on FOX 8 event at Seattle’s KeyArena, Riley went back and forth with a gritty Salas and ultimately lost by a razor-thin splt-decision result. It was Riley’s first appearance in 22 months after suffering another broken jaw in a bout with Tony Ferguson.

While Riley was never a champion of a major promotion, hardcore MMA fans have long known his name as a fan-friendly pioneer of the sport.

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 8, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.