UFCs Shane Carwin announces retirement from MMA

It's been more than three years since former interim Heavyweight champion Shane Carwin has tasted victory inside the Octagon and almost two since he was beaten from pillar to post by Junior dos Santos at UFC 131 back in 2011, which marked his most recent mixed martial arts (MMA) performance.

And, apparently, his last.

Carwin, 37, recently took to Twitter.com to announce his official retirement from the sport, thanking his family, friends and, of course, fans, but failing to provide an explanation for his decision.

Check it out:

Officially retired 2day:-) thank you to my family, friends and fans! #dreambig GOD BLESS!!!

— Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) May 8, 2013

It's no secret that Carwin has struggled mightily with injuries and surgeries during his recent lackluster stretch, going under the knife to repair neck and back issues, as well as hurting his knee in late 2012, which canceled a return about against Roy Nelson.

That last setback, which came at the conclusion of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 16, for which he served as coach opposite "Big Country," was more than likely the final straw that compelled "The Engineer" to call it quits.

Carwin burst onto the big scene at UFC 84 back in May 2008, taking out Christian Wellisch with a first round knockout. In fact, opening round stoppages were Carwin's trademark, never sniffing the second stanza until a submission loss to Brock Lesnar at UFC 116 back in July 2010, an undisputed Heavyweight championship match that he appeared to be well on his way to winning thanks to a dominant opening frame.

Then his body failed him.

The most memorable MMA moment during his tenure was over Frank Mir at UFC 111 in round one back in March 2010, smashing the former champion en route to capturing the interim division crown.

Indeed, it marked Carwin's biggest career win, as well as his last.

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