No retirement for Lil Evil: WEC's Jens Pulver says training camp has started

MMAjunkie.com Staff, MMAjunkie.com Nov 2, 4:23 pm EST

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Although retirement from mixed martial arts seemed inevitable following his loss to Josh Grispi in May, Jens Pulver apparently will fight again.

The former UFC champion and early MMA superstar on late Sunday confirmed he is preparing for another fight.

"Tomorrow I start training camp," he posted in his official Facebook profile.

Additionally, according to a report from AOL Fanhouse, Pulver recently sought treatment for anxiety and depression. The medication proved so beneficial that it prompted the 34-year-old to relocate to Idaho to start a training camp and come out of an unofficial retirement.

The fighter has not been booked for a specific WEC event, a source close to Pulver told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Pulver, the first lightweight champion in UFC history, lost four consecutive fights and six of his past seven following the 33-second submission loss to Grispi at WEC 41 in June. The event took place in Sacramento, and Pulver hinted in a post-fight interview that it would be his final fight.

"I started right here, and I'm not going to be that guy who keeps saying he's retiring," Pulver said at the time. "But I think I just ended where I started. I love all you guys.

"This has been an incredible run. And I'm not saying I'm done yet, but it's been incredible. … I'm going to tell you guys, thank you for making an old man feel good."

Pulver (22-12-1), a decorated collegiate wrestler who graduated from the underground fight scene to a professional MMA debut at the Bas Rutten Invitational event series, joined the UFC in 1999 and fought Alfonso Alcarez to a draw at UFC 22. However, he'd soon find his stride and become one of the organization's top stars. He won the UFC lightweight belt in 2001 but would relinquish the title to fight overseas.

Pulver returned to the UFC in 2007 to coach opposite rival B.J. Penn on the fifth season of "The Ultimate Fighter." However, after a loss to Penn in the show's live finale, Pulver headed to the WEC, the UFC's sister promotion, but he had little success after dropping to the featherweight division. After opening his WEC stint with a win over Cub Swanson, he suffered a unanimous-decision loss to then-WEC featherweight champ Urijah Faber. It was the start of his current four-fight losing streak.

Check out more UFC News at MMAjunkie.com. This story originally appeared on MMAjunkie.com and is syndicated on Yahoo! Sports as part of a content-partnership deal between the two sites.

Updated Nov 2, 4:23 pm EST
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19 Comments

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  1. Rich
    19. Posted by Rich Thu Nov 5 12:06pm EST

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    I've met Lil Evil and the dude is a straight shooter and willing to train those that really want to become better figther, BJJ or Muay Thai fighters. Back i think he has taken a step back to re-evaluate his career, a pause if you will, so he can re-focus and plan out the his next steps. There is nothing more dangerous than a fighter that sees his path and knows how to meet the goals he's set. I look forward to seeing him in teh cage again.
  2. tg3acep
    18. Posted by tg3acep Thu Nov 5 7:54am EST

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    I never said it dosen't happen, but to be an accessory to it is wrong as well. As angry as you sound, I think people might be judging you for your character after all. Pointing your finger saying"Look at the white man getting a pass, while everyone else has to pay!", is not going to change anything. Is it @#$%ed up that the upper 5% of this country (who is pretty much white) use money to get out of any kind of legal trouble?...hell yes. But Saying that Jens Pulver is getting sympathy because he is white is insane. There are plenty of white fighters who I don't give a @#$% about, but Jens is admired because he helped pioneer this sport along with the Gracies, Don Frye, Shamrock etc. No he isn't as well rounded as BJ Penn, Anderson Silva, or Diego Sanchez. That dosen't change the fact that he achieved great things.
  3. Tim S
    17. Posted by Tim S Wed Nov 4 9:37pm EST

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    Don't give me that bull$#@!. I can go to any website, sports related or not, and listen to white people badmouth blacks or Mexicans on a daily basis. I go out into society and see it and have it happen to me almost on a daily basis. Race is one of the single biggest issues in America everyday. The race card is played by white people so often it is not even news anymore. If you can't see that you are out of touch with reality or don't get out much. You and I are JUDGED by our appearance first and foremost before our character in this country especially by whites so don't give me that horse%$&*!!!!!
  4. Racin
    16. Posted by Racin Wed Nov 4 4:24pm EST

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    Posted by Sandman:

    One of two things here sandman, either you don't like Jens Pulver or you have NEVER seen him fight or if you have it's only been his last few... Jens has a chin like a brick for his weight.... Can't wait to see him fight again!!
  5. Daniel
    15. Posted by Daniel Wed Nov 4 4:03pm EST

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    A confident prepared pulver is always a dangerous fighter never get tired of watching his highlight reels n can't wait for his return sure he will come out on top
  6. Sandman
    14. Posted by Sandman Wed Nov 4 9:36am EST

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    Pulver = "Lil Talent"
  7. tg3acep
    13. Posted by tg3acep Wed Nov 4 9:18am EST

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    Holy @#$%!!! Tim S- You said you didn't mean to bring up the race card, but I just saw 2 of your other posts. It looks to me like you go looking for chances to play the race card. Life is too short to go looking for the bad in things, man. Not saying you shouldn't stand up to a racist if he offends you, as a hispanic/white guy I've had a few rednecks insult me. At the same time, I don't try to accuse anyone of getting special treatment for their skin color. Or blame someones race for them being an @#$%, a liar, or a criminal. People are who the are, regardless of ethnicity. But to get back to the article, Jens helped build MMA when hardly anyone cared about it. I think we owe it to him to give him another shot. Chuck is a different story!
  8. tg3acep
    12. Posted by tg3acep Wed Nov 4 8:31am EST

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    Like when Rampage went crazy and drove his truck on the sidewalk, nearly killing people and himself. Then he was in jail for like 2 hours, and Dana white made a statement the next day saying " Rampage is getting the help he needs, and the UFC will support him." Tim S- stop setting america back dude. Any racist behavior is done by the minority of this country. All Jens knows is fighting, so to have his ass kicked so many times in a row messed with his head. Rampage lost (according to the judges, but I thought otherwise) to a guy he was expected to knock out. Again, these things can cause anxiety to anyone, of any race.
  9. Tim S
    11. Posted by Tim S Wed Nov 4 12:57am EST

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    I don't mean to bring up the race card but there is always a double standard in the sports world as well as the "so-called" normal world. Whenever there is legal issues or MENTAL issue, everyone is so sensitive and understanding for the white guy BUT as soon as it is a black guy let the disrespect begin. Jens is a flake and was only the champ because there was mediocre talent at that time. 34 is not old as most fighters come into there prime in their early to mid 30's. You hypocrites need to start applying your medicine equally.
  10. michael
    10. Posted by michael Tue Nov 3 10:17pm EST

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    this guy has been around for a long time, 10 years I believe, maybe more. Most of the guys know I've never even heard of.
  11. JoshuaB
    9. Posted by JoshuaB Tue Nov 3 1:32pm EST

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    good luck lil evil!
  12. Kip
    8. Posted by Kip Tue Nov 3 11:07am EST

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    Congradulations jens! I have met this guy and can say that he is the coolest fighter i a
    have ever met. Can't wait to cheer him on again. I will always be a jens pulver fan, no matter what he goes through and win or lose we will be there for you.
  13. golfer in NC
    7. Posted by golfer in NC Tue Nov 3 10:44am EST

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    maybe he is depressed because he keeps getting the ^%& kicked out of him?

    seriously, I like the guy and have enjoyed watching him in the cage, but time waits for no man. Hang it up while you can still hold em up.
  14. RockyS
    6. Posted by RockyS Tue Nov 3 10:42am EST

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    Good for you Jens...good luck on the camp.
  15. MrJM
    5. Posted by MrJM Tue Nov 3 9:37am EST

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    "Pulver recently sought treatment for anxiety and depression."

    I'm glad Lil' Evil has gotten the help he clearly needed and I hope it helps him live out the life he deserves.

    -- MrJM
  16. LSL Production
    4. Posted by LSL Production Mon Nov 2 7:21pm EST

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    I am very excited to see Jens fight again. It is true that a very important part of the fight is mental; If he was suffering from anxiety and depression that would explain why he didn't look like he wasn't 100%. I wish him the best.
  17. Beverly H
    3. Posted by Beverly H Mon Nov 2 6:48pm EST

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    If WEC still had Curran there would be a real good fight here but i think they can both make 135 lbs but they are kinda old school. And people who doth think they cant make the weight look at bowles he isnt huge but i think bigger then them both
  18. aaron e
    2. Posted by aaron e Mon Nov 2 6:06pm EST

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    Good for Jens, I always love to watch Lil'Evil, win or lose.
  19. aaron e
    1. Posted by aaron e Mon Nov 2 6:06pm EST

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    Good for Jens, I always love to watch Lil'Evil, win or lose.
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