‘Ultimate Fighter’ standout Florian retiring

One of several Ultimate Fighting Championship stars who emerged from the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show decided to retire from competing in the sport the same week the program’s season 15 winner was crowned.

Kenny Florian, the only UFC fighter to compete in four different weight classes, announced Thursday he would not fight again due to persistent back problems.

The 36-year-old Massachusetts native and former Boston College soccer player will stay in the sport as a broadcaster, a role he has already thrived in, including as the color commentator on Friday night’s “TUF” season finale.

“I’ve accomplished a lot of great things in this sport. Originally when I got into this, I had no idea I was going to be a professional MMA fighter. I just wanted to be a martial artist and it turned into a career here with the best organization in the world,” he said. “I’m really thankful for that and all the opportunities that have come from it.”

Florian’s last fight was a loss to featherweight champion Jose Aldo in October, which dropped his record to 0-3 in UFC title bouts. He fought on “TUF” as a middleweight (185 pounds) and dropped to welterweight (170), lightweight (155) and eventually the 145-pound class as his career progressed.

Florian hurt his back training in November, then suffered a setback in his recovery from the injury last month, which made him realize he was probably done competing.

“It took several months of really coming to grips with it,” he said. “It’s been very difficult, but luckily I have a lot of other opportunities. I’m glad I’m still relatively healthy and able to pursue other things.”

He has moved to Los Angeles and plans to open a gym in Southern California very soon.

“Looking back at my career, I wish I was able to hold a belt and all those things, but just to have the opportunity to fight at the highest level was really it for me,” he said. “I know it sounds cliché, but I learned so much from the whole experience. The wins, the losses, the training. Perseverance. All those things are priceless.”

n JONES ENTERS PLEA – UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated in a Binghamton, N.Y., courtroom last week.

Jones was arrested after crashing his 2012 Bentley into a utility pole on May 19.

The 24-year-old will return to court for sentencing June 19, before which time he must have completed an alcohol abuse and dependency assessment. The plea agreement calls for Jones to receive a fine and a one-year conditional discharge. Jones will have an interlock device placed on his car for six months and must attend a victim impact class on the dangers of impaired driving.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.