USA TODAY: Forrest Griffin's retirement signals near end of UFC pioneers

(This story appeared in today’s edition of USA TODAY.)

LAS VEGAS – In a moment no one in attendance was anticipating, Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White signaled the end of an era.

After Saturday’s UFC 160 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, White announced the retirement of former UFC light heavyweight champion and “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 1 winner Forrest Griffin (19-7 MMA, 10-5 UFC).

“Forrest Griffin has been a huge star for us,” White said. “Anything we’ve ever asked of Forrest Griffin, he has done. Every time Forrest Griffin has stepped foot in the octagon, he gave everything he has.”

Griffin has long been one of the sport’s most beloved figures. His self-deprecating demeanor and jovial attitude made him a fan favorite, and his thrilling bout with Stephan Bonnar in the TUF 1 tournament final in 2005 is widely regarded as the launching point for MMA’s current popularity boom.

But Griffin, 33, like Bonnar before him, joins a long list of UFC superstars and former champions who have recently called it quits. Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz and Matt Serra have all walked away from the sport recently, and well-respected former champs such as B.J. Penn and Rich Franklin seem destined to do the same soon.

White says he is saddened to see some of MMA’s biggest names — and most marketable commodities — hang up their gloves, but he thinks it’s often in the fighters’ best interest.

“I know this isn’t how promoters are supposed to talk, but I care about these guys, and I don’t want to see any of them get hurt,” White said. “It’s not worth it.”

For Griffin, chronic knee injuries were the driving force behind his decision. Fortunately, he’s been offered an executive position with the company he helped grow with his blood, sweat and even occasional tears.

“He is staying with the UFC,” White said. “He will have some role, some title … and he will stay with this company at least for the rest of my life.”

Griffin and Bonnar will be inducted in the UFC Hall of Fame at July’s UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas. Liddell and Ortiz are already in, and Penn and Franklin undoubtedly will join them at some point. Now the UFC must focus on developing a new crop of superstars, fighters with whom fans can build an undeniable connection and are willing to pay to watch compete.

White insists that process is well underway with some of the company’s champions and will continue with a number of big fights scheduled for this year.

“There are a lot of good people coming into the sport now and a lot of big stars,” White said. “Cain Velasquez, you saw the pop for him on Saturday night. Just think about that rivalry between Brazil and Mexico when (Velasquez and Junior dos Santos) fight. That’s going to be a huge fight. It really is.

“You have Jon Jones. Georges St-Pierre is still here. You have Ronda Rousey. The list goes on and on of all these people. The sport continues to grow.”

(Pictured: Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin)