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MMA legend Edson Barboza has explained his decision to retire from mixed martial arts after his loss at UFC 330.

On Saturday night, Edson Barboza’s mixed martial arts career came to an abrupt end when he suffered a bad defeat at the hands of Esteban Ribovics. It’s a decision that feels like it’s been coming for a while now, and the man himself acknowledged that he just isn’t at the level he needs to be anymore.

RELATED: Edson Barboza discusses possible MMA retirement after UFC 330

Barboza has been involved in some amazing fights throughout the course of his run with the UFC, and he has arguably one of the best knockouts in MMA history to his name. Alas, all good things must come to an end.

After the fight, Barboza further explained his decision to walk away.

Barboza discusses retirement decision

“I’ve had a big battle inside of me for a long, long time. Well, not long, long—it was my fight with [Lerone] Murphy. I was like, ‘I don’t feel the same,’” Barboza said. “Plus, I’m a very competitive guy. I hate to lose. I have a hard time when I lose.”

“I tried. I kept training hard, but I felt like my body wasn’t the same anymore,” he continued. “I’m 40, with 33 battles in the UFC. Thank God, I did good this camp. I was very healthy. But, yeah, my body isn’t the same. I can’t compete at a high level anymore.”

Quotes via MMA Mania

While he may no longer be actively competing, nobody can take away from the amazing impact that Edson has been able to have in the UFC and mixed martial arts in general.

What is your favorite memory from the career of Edson Barboza? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!

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