Struve retires 'for good' due to inner ear issue

UFC heavyweight Stefan Struve announced his retirement from mixed martial arts Monday.

"This time, it really is for good," he wrote on Twitter, referencing his first retirement announcement in early 2019 before he returned at the end of that year.

Struve revealed he's suffered from an "inner ear issue" since last May, when he contracted a viral infection that damaged his vestibular system and the hearing nerve in his right ear. He said he's dealt with vertigo, loss of hearing, and tinnitus, a ringing noise in the ear. The symptoms subsided until a first-round knockout loss to Tai Tuivasa in October.

"Unfortunately, during the fight, some of the issues came back after getting hit flush on the right ear," Struve wrote. "It was a punch that should not be an issue normally."

Struve said he underwent tests afterward and doctors told him the damage to his ear was likely permanent.

"I have no big issues when I'm just doing my everyday things and/or training on a normal level to be healthy and in shape," he wrote. "The extreme intensity I have to put my body through in training camp to get ready for fights I can't do anymore, though."

The 32-year-old believes continuing to compete "would be asking for real trouble."

Struve, nicknamed "Skyscraper," gained popularity in the sport as the tallest UFC fighter ever at 6-foot-11. He started competing as a professional in 2005 and has fought in the Octagon since 2009 when he made his debut against Junior dos Santos at UFC 95.

The Dutchman put together a 13-11 record in the promotion, which includes a stoppage win over current heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic, a submission of Pat Barry, and a decision victory against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Struve walks away riding a two-fight skid and a 1-5 record in his past six contests. His last victory was a second-round submission over Marcos Rogerio de Lima in February 2019.