Stefan Struve retires, this time for good

Dutch heavyweight Stefan Struve, nicknamed “Skyskraper” for his tallest in UFC history 7′ 0″ height, has retired for good at the age of 32, citing health issues. The announcement came via his social network.

https://twitter.com/StefanStruve/status/1361299987842359297

I caught a viral infection that has damaged my vestibular system and the hearing nerve in my right ear, wrote Struve, as transcribed by Tim Bissell for BE.

The inner ear issues lead to vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. The symptoms subsided and a full recovery was in sight, but then Stuve fought Tai Tuivasa at UFC 254 in October of 2020, and the symptoms got worse. Post-fight tests indicated that the inner damage was likely permanent. Fight camp is an ordeal, but add dizziness and the accompanying nausea, constant ringing in the ears, difficulty in hearing, and the prospect that camp could make it worse, and there was only one sane decision.

At this juncture, I realise that it’s time to hang up the gloves for good, and put my health and family first,” wrote Struve, now the father of a five-year-old. “I’ve had a long career and have battle through multiple injuries and health conditions, including a broken jaw and the heart condition. Pushing forward and training hard and fighting without listening to my body would be asking for real trouble in my opinion.

I am truly appreciative of the career and treatment that I’ve had with the UFC. Everybody in the organisation has always been amazing to me, so it is bittersweet to retire, but I also look forward to what the future holds for me and starting something new. I have to put my health first now, especially now I’m father.

To the fight-fans, even though sometimes I had to dig really deep I had a lot of fun over the years, it was a honor to fight for you.

Struve started fighting professionally in 2005 at the age of 17, and entered the UFC with a 16-2 record. His first fight in the big show was some 7-1 guy name Junior dos Santos, and “Skyskraper” lost. However, he would go on to a 13-11 record in the UFC, earning one Knockout of the Night, two Fight of the Nights, two Performance of the Nights, and three Submission of the Nights. Career wins include Big Nog, Bigfoot Silva, Pat Barry, and Stipe Miocic.

The UnderGround wishes Stuve every success in his future endeavors.