On Wednesday Suckerpunch Entertainment, the management company of heavyweight fighter Pat Barry announcedthat Barry was "taking an indefinite leave from competing in MMA." On Thursday, UFC president Dana White spoke about the fighter who competed under the UFC banner since 2008.

Barry's run with the UFC began with a first round TKO win over Dan Evensen at UFC 92. That run ended on December 7 of last year when Soa Palelei knocked out Barry at 2:09 of the first round of their fight at UFC Fight Night 33. Barry would go the distance only once in 12 UFC fights, compiling a record of 5-7. Prior to joining the UFC, Barry had three first round TKO wins.

As his record showed, Barry's style of fighting was finish or be finished. This fact was also reflected in the statement he made through his management company, Suckerpunch Entertainment, "I DON'T WANT TO WRESTLE."

That style of fighting allowed Barry to win seven fights by KO / TKO, it also saw him lose four fights by knockout and three via submission. Barry's last three defeats all came via first round knockout. During his UFC career, Barry collected four Fight Night bonuses.

When asked about Barry's stepping away from the sport, White told assembled members of the media, "I'm happy. Pat Barry is a guy who's been in wars. He's fun to watch fight, but it gets to a point where when a guy gets knocked out a few times I would love to see them retire."

Barry's style and engaging personality made him a fan favorite during his run with the UFC. According to White, that personality and style also made him a favorite of his fellow UFC fighters, including one of the sports more prickly personalities, former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

White said that Barry was often a topic of conversation when he spoke to other fighters, especially Lesnar, "So many fighters that I've had conversations with really, really like Pat Barry, and really care about the guy. Brock Lesnar doesn't f---ing like anybody, but he really likes Pat Barry and has a lot of respect for Pat Barry. If Brock Lesnar likes you, holy s---, you're doing really good. You must be a really f---ing good guy."

"Good guy" Barry did not completely close the door on participating in combat sports, and there is a possibility that he will step back into kickboxing, a sport he participated in before making the jump to MMA.