While combat sports fans hadn't seen hide nor hair of original Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 1 veteran Nate Quarry since a technical knockout loss to Jorge Rivera at UFC Fight Night 21 back in March 2010, he wasn't yet ready to call it a career.

Until now.

The co-host of Spike TV's "MMA Uncensored Live," who was on the brink of calling it quits as recently as last December, announced his retirement last night (March 1, 2012) from active competition, which means his loss to "El Conquistador" will serve as the last memory of him inside the Octagon.

Said Quarry (transcription via Bloody Elbow):

"It was 16 years ago that I saw the UFC on TV, and it changed my life. Everything I have besides my little girl has come from fighting. But after my last fight, when I came home and saw the look in my little girl's eyes and could see how upset she was at how damaged I was, that I knew I wanted to leave when I could still take care of her, and I didn't ever want to be one of those fighters that people said "Why is he still here?" I wanted to leave when people still wanted me to fight. So, I hate to say it but, I'm going to have to exit from fighting. I'm just glad that I get the opportunity to be here and continue the love for this sport that I've had, that has given me everything. So, thank you Spike TV, thank you to my hosts for giving me this opportunity. Thank you to the fans, and thank you to my little girl for making it so easy for me to follow my dream."

Quarry, who not only had his spine fused during the prime of his fighting career, also underwent facial reconstruction surgery following his loss to Rivera. The heavy-handed middleweight finishes his career at 12-4, with a UFC record of 7-3.

Hear more from Quarry on his journey through the UFC and beyond in our exclusive interview by clicking here.