UFC veteran Charles McCarthy announced his retirement Thursday in an e-mail sent to various Web sites.
“I would like to announce my formal retirement from mixed martial arts competition,” he wrote. “I have achieved many of the goals I set out to accomplish in this sport and found others just out of reach. It is now time for me to lay down my gloves and rededicate my attention towards my business, my fighters, my family and my team.”
Michael Bisping injured McCarthy’s arm in the first round of their UFC middleweight bout Saturday in Montreal. After the round ended, McCarthy (10-5) could not continue.
“The successes I have found in my career are due in large part to all the great people who have helped me along the way,” wrote the American Top Team representative in his e-mail. “Being involved with the true champions at American Top Team has guided me to become a better father, husband, teacher and friend. Without the great generosity of ATT, my life would have had a void. I hope that everyone reading can one day feel the love of a great family as I have.
“Thank you to all who have supported mixed martial arts. You have helped me live out a childhood dream of being a professional athlete. I am proud to say that in some small way I helped to grow our great sport and entertain fans across the world.”
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