Daijiworld Media Network – New York
New York, Aug 5: Former WWE and UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has announced his retirement from professional wrestling, bringing the curtain down on one of the sport's most celebrated careers.
The 49-year-old made the announcement during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, revealing that his match at SummerSlam would be his final appearance inside the wrestling ring.
Lesnar said he had first contemplated retirement after his WrestleMania bout against Oba Femi, admitting that the physically demanding contest made him question whether he could continue competing.
"I’m here today to let the world know I am retired. Saturday was a very emotional day for me. When Oba Femi slammed me at WrestleMania, I thought I couldn't do this anymore. But I still had some fuel left in the tank. Saturday, that's it for Brock Lesnar. That's it for me in the squared circle," he said.
Widely regarded as one of the most dominant performers in professional wrestling, Lesnar built a remarkable career in WWE, winning multiple world championships and headlining several marquee events.
After leaving WWE in 2004, Lesnar briefly pursued a career in American football and spent time with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings during the preseason before being released.
He later transitioned to mixed martial arts and enjoyed a successful stint in the UFC, winning the heavyweight title in just his fourth professional fight by defeating Randy Couture in 2008. His final UFC appearance came against Mark Hunt at UFC 200 in 2016.
Reflecting on his journey, Lesnar credited his upbringing in South Dakota for shaping his work ethic and determination.
Describing himself as "a farm kid from South Dakota with a big dream," he expressed gratitude to his family, fans and everyone who supported him throughout his career.
Lesnar's retirement marks the end of a career that spanned more than two decades across professional wrestling and mixed martial arts, during which he established himself as one of the biggest attractions in combat sports history.