One of the most dominant champions in UFC history officially called it a career Thursday after 54 professional fights.

Former welterweight champ Matt Hughes made the announcement at the UFC on FOX 6 pre-fight press conference, which Bloody Elbow provided the first transcription of.

The 39-year-old will remain heavily involved with the sport, ass he has taken a front office job with the UFC: vice president of athletic development. He will be in charge of writing a code of conduct for UFC fighters, the report says.

Between UFC 36 in March 2002 and Nov. 2003, Hughes successfully defended his title five times, a UFC record for years until Georges St-Pierre broke it at UFC 129 in April 2011.

While he was submitted by St-Pierre twice in his career, he is one of just two competitors to defeat the French-Canadian. He won the first bout of their trilogy at UFC 50 in Oct. 2004 via an armbar.

Dating back to his third bout with “Rush” in Dec. 2007,  the Illinois native had a pedestrian 3-4 record inside the Octagon, most recently including back-to-back knockouts at the hands of BJ Penn and Josh Koscheck.

UFC president Dana White indicated that Hughes should probably retire after his lopsided loss to Koscheck, which was 16 months ago, and it looks like the one of the original members of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp took his advice.

Despite being touted as an overpowering wrestler with submission know-how, Hughes had 17 knockouts to go along with his 18 submissions in the midst of racking up 45 career victories.