The Ultimate Fighter 9 winner James Wilks announces retirement from MMA

Winner of the Ultimate Fighter Season 9 U.S. vs. UK, James Wilks, announced his retirement via Twitter on Saturday night. Wilks cited continual injuries as the reason that forced him out of the competition in the sport. Wilks battled and won three times while on The Ultimate Fighter before competing against DeMarques Johnson in the Ultimate Fighter season 9 finale on June 20^th, 2009. Wilks won that bout by rear naked choke in the first round, giving Team UK and Coach Michael Bisping a second win and a clean sweep in the finale.

Although representing Team UK and being born in Leicestershire, England, Wilks had been residing in California for several years before competing on TUF UK vs U.S. In retirement he plans to focus solely on his MMA school known as Lighting MMA, located in Laguna Hills, California.

Wilks posted a (2-2) UFC record in four trips to the Octagon, with wins over DeMarques Johnson, Peter Sobotta and losses to Matt Brown and most recently Claude Patrick at UFC 120. Wilks finishes his career with an overall record of (7-4).