UFC middleweight Uriah Hall ‘stepping away’ from MMA

It wasn’t quite a full-fledged retirement, but it doesn’t sound like Uriah Hall plans on fighting anytime soon, either.

The UFC middleweight posted a statement on Instagram announcing that he’ll be “stepping away” from mixed martial arts, a sport where he has competed professionally since 2005.

“It is with great sadness that I will be stepping away from the greatest sport in the world. I’m going to miss the incredible UFC staff that has became like family and the mentors I have met along the way. The UFC has given me the best opportunity to step completely outside my comfort zone,” Hall wrote.

The 38-year-old Hall is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Andre Muniz at UFC 276 on July 2, his second consecutive defeat within the Las Vegas-based promotion. Prior to that, “Primetime” compiled a four-bout winning streak that featured triumphs over the likes of Chris Weidman, Anderson Silva and Antonio Carlos Jr.

“Throughout the years I’ve gone up against some of the best in the world at the highest level,” Hall wrote. “Although I did not achieve the rank of world champion I’ve acquired some of my greatest achievements from mixed martial arts and that was facing my fears and being a champion in life.

“I want to thank the incredible fans, you guys made the sport what it is today. It is important to have the right people around you that care for you and encourage you to become a better version of yourself. I want to thank my team my coaches my friends and my family always standing by me. You all have been the driving force that encouraged me daily. Lastly, I want to specifically thank Dana White for giving me the opportunity to collide with modern day gladiators. Thank you for always supporting me [through] the good and the bad.”

If it is indeed farewell, Hall exits the sport with a 17-11 record. He rose to prominence on “The Ultimate Fighter 17” before suffering an upset loss to Kelvin Gastelum on the finals of the reality show. He had his share of ups and downs while going 10-9 in the UFC, but he did face many of the promotion’s top talents, with other notable matchups against the likes of Sean Strickland, Paulo Costa, Gegard Mousasi, Derek Brunson, Thiago Santos and Chris Leben, among others.