Dana White: Brock Lesnar is retiring from MMA

Former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar informed UFC president Dana White that he no longer intends to return to the Octagon.

"Brock Lesnar told me he's done," White said to ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "He's retiring."

Lesnar last fought for the promotion in July 2016 and defeated Mark Hunt via unanimous decision. The outcome was later overturned to a no-contest due to a failed drug test.

Still, the UFC had been keeping a heavyweight title match against champion Daniel Cormier ready for whenever Lesnar came back. Lesnar entered the cage to confront Cormier at UFC 226 last summer, beginning a feud between the two that was expected to culminate in a big-money fight.

Other signs over the past two years, including his re-entry into the UFC's mandatory anti-doping program, pointed toward an eventual return for Lesnar.

Lesnar won the heavyweight championship at UFC 91 in November 2008. He successfully defended the belt twice before falling to Cain Velasquez in October 2010.

The 41-year-old remains contracted to the WWE. He's inked several short-term deals with the company since returning in 2012.