TORONTO - Veteran Canadian lightweight Sam (Hands of Stone) Stout has retired from mixed martial arts after a 12-year pro career.

The 31-year-old from London, Ont., fought 20 times in the UFC. He collected seven fight bonuses from the organization, six for fight of the night and one for knockout of the night.

Stout, who became a father last year, said through the UFC he wanted to spend more time with his family. Stout is also co-owner of a gym in London.

He has not fared well in recent fights, losing his last three and five of the last seven. Frankie Perez stopped him in 54 seconds last time out — at a Saskatoon card in August — while K.J. Noons dispatched him in 30 seconds in April 2014.

Stout (21-12-1) debuted in the UFC in March 2006 when he won a split decision over Spencer (The King) Fisher. The two went on to fight two more times, each garnering a win.

The trilogy of fights helped Stout earn a reputation as a busy, hard-nosed fighter who usually put on a show.

''I've got nothing but respect for Sam Stout,'' UFC president Dana White said in 2008. ''Sam Stout's put on some great fights for us and he's a tough guy.''

Stout's overall UFC record was 9-11.

Only former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre has more UFC fights (21) among Canadians.

Stout leaves ranked third in the modern UFC in significant strikes landed with 995, according to FightMetric, behind Frankie Edgar and Michael Bisping.

He ranks 10th in total fight time in the UFC with three hours 58 minutes 22 seconds.