Royce Gracie e Daniel Severn na épica batalha do UFC 4, em 1994. Foto: Susumu Nagao.

Na ativa desde que o MMA ainda chamava vale-tudo, Dan Severn anunciou sua aposentadoria ontem.

Aos 54 anos, a “Besta”, como ficou conhecido nos primórdios do UFC, sai de cena sem realizar três desejos: as revanches contra Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock e Mark Coleman.

“Eu estava tentando fazer minha própria turnê de aposentadoria nos últimos dois anos, contra três pessoas: Mark Coleman, Ken Shamrock e Royce Gracie”, escreveu o wrestler peso pesado em no seu site. “Falei com dois deles (Mark e Ken), e com um representante de Royce. Estes combates não vão acontecer, portanto minha vida agora segue para o próximo capítulo”, completou.

Severn acrescentou que vai continuar envolvido com o MMA, trabalhando com várias empresas para apoiar a indústria nas funções de comentarista, embaixador e fazendo aparições em eventos.

“Minhas oficinas e seminários de MMA vão continuar”, escreveu o veterano. “Me divirto muito com as aulas e quero desfrutar dessa interação com os jovens competidores”.

Severn surgiu para o mundo do vale-tudo no UFC 4, em 1994, quando encarou Anthony Macias na primeira rodada do torneio. Em seguida ele enfrentou Marcus Bossett pelas semifinais, e nas duas lutas encerrou os duelos com um bonito mata-leão.

Na final, Daniel teve Royce Gracie pela frente. A épica batalha durou 16 minutos, e Royce Gracie finalizou Severn com um triângulo – em luta tão longa que expirou o tempo do pay-per-view e os telespectadores não viram o fim.

Dono de um coração gigante, Dan Severn pendura as luvas com um cartel de 101 vitórias e 19 derrotas. Obrigado, Dan.

Dan Severn celebrates after winning the 8-man tournament at UFC 5 on April 7, 1995 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Dan Severn, mixed martial arts pioneer and one of the first fighters to compete in the UFC’s early days, retired from competition on Tuesday.

Severn made the announcement through his official website, stating he’s calling it quits after matches with Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock and Mark Coleman never came to fruition.

“I was attempting to do my own self-directed retirement tour in the last couple of years, reaching out to only three people: Mark Coleman, Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie,” Severn wrote on dansevern.com. “I spoke with two of them (Mark and Ken), and through [a] representative for Royce. It seems as though these matches will not take place for whatever reasons and my life now goes on to the next chapter.”

Severn added that he will still be involved with MMA, working with various companies to support the industry in roles such as play-by-play commentator, ambassador, as well as doing appearances.

“The MMA workshops and seminars will continue,” he wrote. “I have a lot of fun with them and enjoy the interaction with the young competitors … ”

Severn’s first documented MMA fight came at UFC 4, where he took on Anthony Macias in the first round of the promotion’s then-tournament format. He submitted Macias, as well as Marcus Bossett in the semifinals, both by rear-naked choke.

“The Beast” moved onto the finals where he met Royce Gracie. The two battled for nearly 16 minutes, but Severn was eventually submitted via triangle choke by the tournament champion.

Severn has also excelled as a professional wrester, and announced that 2013 would be his last year participating as an entertainer.

Severn finished his MMA career with a 101-19 record.

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