WSOF 24 boasted a solid card featuring some of their most prominent athletes, two title fights, Chael Sonnen in the commentary booth and the unveiling of their flyweight division. Among the more notable roster names that fought on the card was lightweight sensation, Nick Newell.

Newell fought Tom Marcellino in a tough, back and forth battle that saw Newell dominate the ground, and Marcelino getting the better end of the striking. When the decision was announced, Newell was declared the victor, 29-28 on all three judge's scorecards. Following his win, during his post-fight interview, Nick shocked the audience and plenty of MMA fans by announcing his retirement at the ripe, old age of 29.

In a very emotional video posted on the WSOF Facebook fan page, Newell detailed why he feels it's time to step away from the fight game. You can check out the video along with our transcription below.

Nick Newell announces retirement ICYMI: "Notorious" Nick Newell gave a heartfelt speech after his fight tonight.Best wishes to you Nick, thank you for all that you have done for #WSOF & the sport of MMA! Posted by MMA World Series of Fighting on Saturday, October 17, 2015

You know, I'm only 29-years-old, but I want to have a future, I want to be able to have a good body when I get older. One day, I'd like to have kids and be able to play with them. I know that's kind of an extreme thing, but I didn't get to where I am today by just being a natural. I'm sorry, this is very emotional for me. I got to where I am from hard work, and that takes a toll on your body. These past couple training camps have been really hard for me, and just really hard on my body. It's just...it's just my time.

I don't want to be a guy that just fights for a...for a paycheck [obviously overcome with emotion at this point]. I want to be a guy that fights because he loves it. I don't want to cheat myself of my best performances, and I don't feel like I'm the fighter I could be, because my body is just not reacting the same way it used to. I just don't have it in me anymore, so this is my last one, a hometown fight that I won. It wasn't the most beautiful thing in the world, but I didn't really get to train much for this fight. It was injury after injury. I had terrible luck, and uh, it's time.

I've done this for my past three camps, with injuries all through the whole camp. I came in 20 pounds over the day before weigh-ins and had to lose it all because I couldn't train. It's just very rough on my body. I want to have a good life when I get older, and I can't be fighting anymore.

Thank you to everyone that's supported me. I don't want to give you guys a second rate Nick Newell. I want the best Nick Newell there is and his days are over. It's time to move on and do something new and share my knowledge with other people.

I know I speak for everyone at Bloody Elbow when I say this:

Thank you for all your efforts in the cage. Thank you for great fights, and for showing the community that adversity can be overcome with hard work, iron will and lots of heart. Our hat is off to you, and we wish you well in all your future endeavors.