Originally Posted by MMAJunkie

Following WEC 41 loss, Jens Pulver essentially calls it quits and hints at likely retirement



Following a disappointing 33-second submission loss to Josh Grispi at Sunday's "WEC 41: Brown vs. Faber II" event, MMA legend Jens Pulver essentially called it quits on his 10-year mixed-martial-arts career.

While stopping short of officially announcing his retirement, Pulver gave several indications that he won't be returning to the cage for any future fights.

Pulver, the first lightweight champion in UFC history, has lost four consecutive fights and six of his past seven.

Following the loss via guillotine choke, which opened the live Versus broadcast from ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif., Pulver praised his opponent and hinted that Grispi is the type of fighter who's since caught up with and even passed MMA's early legends.

"A lot of people didn't know who he was, but I did," Pulver said of his opponent in a post-fight interview. "I knew what kind of talent he was. A long time ago, I remember saying, 'There's kids out there in sixth grade right now watching me pave the way for them, and one day, they're going to be coming out here, and I hope I only get the opportunity to fight them and be in front of this.' And I've had that chance."

The near-capacity crowd immediately sensed what Pulver was hinting at and rose to its feet to cheer on the 34-year-old fighter.

Pulver (22-12-1), a decorated collegiate wrestler who graduated from the underground fight scene to a professional MMA debut at the Bas Rutten Invitational event series, joined the UFC in 1999 and fought Alfonso Alcarez to a draw at UFC 22. However, he'd soon find his stride and become one of the organization's top stars. He won the UFC lightweight belt in 2001 but would relinquish the title to fight overseas.

Pulver returned to the UFC in 2007 to coach opposite rival B.J. Penn on the fifth season of "The Ultimate Fighter." However, after a loss to Penn in the show's live finale, Pulver headed to the WEC, the UFC's sister promotion, but he had little success after dropping to the featherweight division. After opening his WEC stint with a win over Cub Swanson, he suffered a unanimous-decision loss to then-WEC featherweight champ Urijah Faber. It was the start of his current four-fight losing streak.

Pulver, whose abusive childhood was detailed in his acclaimed autobiography "Little Evil," eventually hooked up with Bob Shamrock, a father figure to troubled fighters. Shamrock set up a fight team in California, where Pulver trained before an eventual move to Pat Miletich's team in Iowa.

Pulver, fighting in Sacramento, acknowledged Shamrock after his latest loss.

"Thank God to you Bob Shamrock," he said. "I know I hope you're feeling a lot better. I started right here, and I'm not going to be that guy who keeps saying he's retiring. But I think I just ended where I started. I love all you guys.

"This has been an incredible run. And I'm not saying I'm done yet, but it's been incredible. ... I'm going to tell you guys, thank you for making an old man feel good."