TUF 9 champion James Wilks retires from MMA

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(TUF 9 Winner James Wilks)

Season nine winner of "The Ultimate Fighter," James Wilks publiclyannounced his retirement from the sport via his Twitter account. According to areport from MMAJunkie, doctors warned Wilks that a future injury could resultin paralysis due to a previous neck fracture the fighter suffered as ateenager.

On Twitter, Wilks wrote, "A few of you have been asking when my next fightis. Unfortunately, I have had to retire due to injury. Now coaching."

Wilks defeated DaMarques Johnson to win the season-nine welterweighttournament. He went 1-2 over his next three UFC bouts highlighted by adecision-victory over Peter Sobotta at UFC 115. In his last outing, Wilks cameup short against Claude Patrick at UFC 120.

During his time on the reality show, Wilks defeated Che Mills and Frank Lester(twice) to reach the finals.

Wilks will continue to coach at Lightning MMA in Laguna Hills, Calif.