MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: One of Scotland's most experienced professional MMA fighters, Davie Galbraith, has retired from the sport, reports Stef Lach.

Galbraith has hung up his gloves after fighting his way to 10 wins and seven defeats over the course of seven years. Before that he went 3-3 as an amateur.

As owner and head coach at Glasgow's NewLife gym, Galbraith, 30, has decided to quit chasing his dream of fighting in the UFC and focus his energy on his business and his family.

He said: "First and foremost I've taken this decision for my son, David. He is seven now and I don't want to be away from him for a second longer than I have to.

"But also I've realised that the whole time I was fighting it was to try and make a career out of it - I was fighting for my future. But now my career is the gym and I'm in a place where I don't need to fight."

The Glasgow man recently had his third trial for the UFC's reality TV show, The Ultimate fighter, and was unsuccessful. But he spoke with UFC matchmaker Joe Silva in Las Vegas and was told to keep himself in shape in case there were any late pullouts for the upcoming Glasgow UFC card on July 18.

But not even that possibility - however slim it might be - could convince 'The Gladiator' to keep fighting.

He says: "It's funny because in a way I'm closer than I've ever been to fighting for the UFC. They are coming to Glasgow soon and I've been told they know who I am and that I might have got a late call-up as a replacement. But it's not what I want to do any more.

"I want to make it very clear that I'm actually delighted to be announcing this. It's not a sad moment for me. I'm in a very good place and I want to make the most of that. This isn't a case of an injured fighter having to retire or someone who doesn't think they are good enough chucking it."

Galbraith counts his win over Bobby McVitie at On Top 6 in 2012 as his career highlight. His least favourite moment was his loss to Louis Chapman at 10th Legion 8 the same year.

"I've never been happier in a cage than against Bobby," he says. "I loved punching him in the face. But the fight against Louis was a shambles. I was stitched up from the weigh-ins right through the fight and afterwards."

The controversial featherweight title fight saw Chapman declared the winner by TKO twice - after the timekeeper admitted the bell had gone before the referee called a stop to the match the first time. After some deliberation, the fight re-started and Chapman got the win. But Galbraith had complaints over not seeing his opponent successfully make weight, as well as with the way the bout ended.

Galbraith saves special thanks for his family and for two close friends - Paul Brogan and Saam Falahati. He says: "Paul has been there right through career and picked me up when I was at my lowest points. Without him, I don't know where I'd have ended up. And Saam is a good friend and a doctor who has been by my side for many years. I owe them both huge thanks."