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WSOF, UFC vet Gerald Harris announces his retirement from MMA
Apr 22, 2014 - 11:05:46 PM WSOF, UFC vet Gerald Harris announces his retirement from MMA

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

34-year-old welterweight Gerald Harris has won five of his last seven fights since being released from the UFC in 2010 after his only loss in the organization, but he's decided now is the time to walk away.

Harris announced on Tuesday night that he's retiring from MMA, eight months after defeating Jorge Santiago in his most recent bout with the World Series of Fighting.

"Thanks so much for the opportunity but I have a family to take care of so I'm going to have to walk away," Harris wrote on his Facebook page, addressing WSOF officials Ray Sefo and Ali Abdel-Aziz. "I am retiring from Mixed Martial Arts today."

He later affirmed that he's serious about the retirement, posting on Twitter that it's not a joke at all.

I truly appreciate the support - this is not a joke or a bluff. I am retiring with a win and what I consider a great career. Thanx everyone

— Gerald Harris (@GHurricane) April 23, 2014

Harris compiled a 22-5 record through seven years of active competition. His first major exposure came on The Ultimate Fighter's seventh season in 2008, where he won a fight but lost to eventual show winner Amir Sadollah. It would be a year and a half before he'd get an opportunity from the UFC proper, and once he entered he won his first three fights.

The UFC released him after a loss to Maiquel Falcao, though, and he dropped a decision to James Head in his first fight out of the UFC. He would win four straight from there before getting tapped for the World Series of Fighting's debut event.

He lost a decision to Josh Burkman on that card, but bounced back last August with a win over Santiago. That bout will now go down as his final fight.

Penick's Analysis: Harris had a real solid run in the sport, though he didn't get a fair shake with the UFC. He was a very talented fighter, and though he didn't always put forth the most exciting efforts, he was always competitive, and definitely had his moments. He feels this is the right time for him to walk away, and good for him on walking away on his own terms.