Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has retired following two shoulder dislocations in eight months. The 39-year-old American had two UFC title reigns across a distinguished career, defending the belt three times.

Dominick Cruz is calling it a career. After an injury forced him out of UFC Fight Night 252, Cruz (24-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) announced his retirement Thursday in a lengthy, heartfelt post on social media.

The former UFC men's bantamweight champion announced his retirement from MMA competition in a social-media post on Thursday. According to Cruz, the same injuries that had forced him out of what was to be his final professional fight at a UFC Fight Night event in Seattle later this month had also pushed him to hang up the gloves for good.