Ross Pearson never won a world championship, but over the course of a pro mixed martial arts career which dates back to 2004, he certainly lived up to his nickname of “The Real Deal.” The Sunderland, England native won “The Ultimate Fighter 9” in 2009 and then became a regular part of the UFC scenery for nearly a decade. Win or lose, Pearson was a competitor capable of stealing the show on any given night, as evidenced by his three career “Fight of the Night” postfight bonuses. Monday, the 34-year old Pearson announced via Instagram he’s retiring from MMA, although he appeared to leave the door open for eventually participating in other forms of competition