WWE legend Brock Lesnar announces retirement at 49

WWE legend Brock Lesnar has announced his permanent retirement from the wrestling ring. The 49-year-old star has not only stepped away from professional wrestling but from all forms of combat sports. His match against Oba Femi in the 'Hell in a Cell' at SummerSlam in Minneapolis on Saturday was his final bout.

The 10-time WWE world champion confirmed his retirement on 'The Pat McAfee Show' on Tuesday. Lesnar said that earlier this year at WrestleMania, when he took off his boots and gloves inside the ring, he felt it was time to call it a career. However, the urge to appear before the audience one last time brought him back, and he participated in the event in his home state of Minnesota.

Speaking emotionally about his retirement, Lesnar said Saturday's match was a deeply emotional moment for him. After losing to Femi at WrestleMania, he felt he might not return. But his love for wrestling brought him back to the ring. However, through Saturday's fight, he has become certain—this is the right time, and he has no desire to return to any competition.

Lesnar, who enjoyed a long and illustrious career, first came into the spotlight in 2000 when he won the NCAA Division-1 Championship for the University of Minnesota. Two years later, in his WWE debut match, he won his first world title by defeating Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson with the famous 'F-5' move. He went on to win a total of 10 world championships, two Royal Rumbles, one King of the Ring and one Money in the Bank title. In 2014, he made history by ending The Undertaker's 21-match undefeated streak at WrestleMania. He also proved his talent outside the ring—in 2004, he earned a spot on the Minnesota Vikings' pre-season roster in the NFL, and in 2007, he joined the UFC, winning the heavyweight championship in 2008 in just his fourth fight.

Lesnar became emotional while recalling his career. He said, "I was just a simple farm boy from South Dakota. Big dreams, hard work and an unyielding determination brought me to where I am today. I am grateful to God and the people who stood by me for everything I have achieved in life." Thus ended one of the most talked-about and successful chapters in professional sports