Akira Corassani announces retirement following knockout loss to Sam Sicilia at UFC on FOX 14

Following his loss to Sam Sicilia at last weekend's (Sat. Jan. 24, 2015) UFC on FOX 14 event in Stockholm, Sweden, Akira Corassani has decided to put a bow on his mixed martial arts (MMA) career.

The knockout loss to Sicilia (see it again here) marked the third straight defeat via strikes for Corassani, having previously lost to Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway.

Check out his farewell Facebook post (via MMA Junkie):

I got into to this to challenge myself, get kicks and thrills and live life as close to Van Damme in Bloodsport as possible. I was 22 years old working at a factory confused and bored when I made a bet with my co-workers to become a fighter. They laughed and I said WATCH! I did it all and holy smoke what an adventure it has been. I feel like I could write at least 8 books about my journey, the behind the scenes stuff and other craziness. If I found lamp today and rubbed it and a genie popped out and asked me to make a wish I would say "I wish every human being on earth could experience everything I have. Along the way I never thought of how many people I'd inspired, entertained and upset (mostly keyboard warriors). It is with deep joy I write this, I am full and content and I would never want to change a single thing. My brain has filed for a divorce and doesn't want to cooperate anymore. The passion and the technique is there but every car has a date (except for the Swedish Volvo 740). I feel like I have so much to share, show and talk about and I will in the future... From the bottom of my heart... THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WONDERFUL 12 YEARS AND I TRULY LOVE AND APPRECIATE THAT YOU TUNED IN. It was all my pleasure folks. I salute you, THE END!?

Prior to suffering his three-fight skid, Corassani won his first three bouts under the UFC banner, defeating the likes of Andy Ogle, Maximo Blanco, and Robbie Peralta.

The Renzo Gracie-trained fighter burst onto the UFC scene as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 14: "Team Miller vs. Team Bisping" back in 2011. The Swedish fighter went 2-1 on the show, with his loss coming at the hands of eventual runner-up, Dennis Bermudez.

Corassani leaves MMA with a record of (12-6-1, 3-3 UFC).