Pros react to Burt Watson's departure from the UFC

Burt Watson, the beloved site coordinator affectionately dubbed the UFC's "Babysitter to the Stars," announced Tuesday that his 14-year run with the UFC had reached an end. Known for his booming rallying cry -- "WE ROLLLLLIIINNN" -- Watson was in many ways the glue that held fight weeks together, a relentlessly exuberant rock who just this year received a lifetime achievement award from the World MMA Awards for his service.

After 14 AMAZING YEARS I've decided to step aside thank U Dana White Lorenzo Fertitta & Donna Marcolini pic.twitter.com/8eL04mVGaW

— Burt Watson (@BurtWatson4real) March 3, 2015

Watson's announcement arrived just three days after what will ultimately go down as his final event, UFC 184. He specified no reason for his departure, though it comes as no surprise that the news prompted a tremendous outpouring of love and support from all of those in the fight game who Watson had touched over his many years of travels, as can be seen below.

Thank you for everything @BurtWatson4real . YOU DA MAN!

— BJ PENN (@bjpenndotcom) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real Idk if I can handle this news man! Can't imagine fighting with out you there. Thanks for everything ! Enjoy the Fam!

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) March 3, 2015

After 14 years with the UFC, Burt Watson retires. I'm sad I never got the opportunity to have him at… https://t.co/iZFtWBO77D

— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) March 3, 2015

No matter what the results of my fight were I could always expect some real words from… https://t.co/h6iKmi1qBb

— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real your the man Burt. You have done a great job.

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) March 3, 2015

I wish you luck in all your future endeavors @BurtWatson4real. The fights won't be the same without you

— Jim Miller (@JimMiller_155) March 3, 2015

Hope @BurtWatson4real goes on to do whatever TF he wants! Great guy who was exemplary at his job.

— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) March 3, 2015

Best of luck in your next chapter of life @BurtWatson4real you will be greatly missed!

— Eddie Wineland (@EddieWineland) March 3, 2015

I think @BurtWatson4real is probably the nicest dude I've ever met. Gonna miss you big guy. Best of luck in everything. #WEROLLIN

— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) March 3, 2015

.@BurtWatson4real won't be the same w/o you. Thanks for the respect, wisdom & guidance you shared w/ fighters all these yrs. All the best

— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real u will be sorely missed. Thank u for everything you've done & for making me feel like every 1 of my fights were special.

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) March 3, 2015

The 1 & only!! U will b missed brother"@BurtWatson4real: After 14 AMAZING YEARS I've decided to step aside thank U pic.twitter.com/Yh8yMIlM8T"

— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real BURT NOOOOOO!!! I needed for my next bout Burt!! I'm going to cry!!!

— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real this makes me so sad :(

— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) March 3, 2015

I have never met anyone better at what they do than @BurtWatson4real ... You have no equal sir! The #UFC and myself will miss you! @UFC

— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) March 3, 2015

Burt! Wtf

— John Moraga (@chicanojohn) March 3, 2015

Sad news today for fighters the legend burtwatson4real has moved on from UFC. I'm honored to know you… https://t.co/NEWry7ICVR

— Ross Pearson (@RossTheRealDeal) March 3, 2015

You're the Man Burt! It won't be the same without you burtwatson4real https://t.co/rN05GwGxE9

— Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA) March 3, 2015

Well said. #WeRolllllliiiiin #Repost mikekogan ⁰・・・⁰burtwatson4real The energy of the UFC has just… https://t.co/5MrFcxWS0z

— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) March 3, 2015

My man @BurtWatson4real I will miss you. I have nothing but respect wish you the best #WEROLLIN #YA

— Efrain Escudero (@effyescudero) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real all the best to you in life after the UFC Burt. You will definitely be missed!

— Aaron Riley (@aaronrileymma) March 3, 2015

Burt Watson gone ???? TF

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 3, 2015

Well that ruined my day. No one will be able to the bring the energy to the events and helpful do anything for the fighters @BurtWatson4real

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) March 3, 2015

Can't believe this!! Well all miss this man, Burt ur the man!! #hypeman #werollin http://t.co/2xnQCUq9IA

— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real thank you for everything sir. You'll always be the man with the plan.

— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) March 3, 2015

Thank you for all you have done for us and for our sport burtwatson4real Always with great energy and… https://t.co/jpHcOgbRQC

— rafael natal (@rafaelsaponatal) March 3, 2015

.@BurtWatson4real love you baby! Thanks for making some awesome memories for me!

— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) March 3, 2015

Wait what's going on with @BurtWatson4real @ufc ???

— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real you are a legend! Best wishes for your future

— Chad Laprise (@ChadLaprise) March 3, 2015

Burt Watsson http://t.co/glkOIgyntN

— Makwan Amirkhani (@MakwanAmirkhani) March 3, 2015

Thanks for making my time @ufc a great one @BurtWatson4real all the best in the future #topman pic.twitter.com/zkxYAuIu0i

— Phil Harris ufc (@Philharrismma) March 3, 2015

And he's Rollllllin!! Thanks for all the great memories always treated me like a somebody when I… https://t.co/jIQFnX9q4A

— Willie Gates (@WhOopassWilliE) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real is the ultimate bad man, keeping the toughest of the tough in line!! Sad day

— ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) March 3, 2015

It's an honor to know you bro @BurtWatson4real!

— Rafaello Oliveira (@RafaelloTractor) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real you'll be missed Burt

— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real Best of luck to you, Burt! You're a good man.

— Pat Miletich (@patmiletich) March 3, 2015

Just read that my man @BurtWatson4real is leaving the @ufc.... SAY IT AINT SO BURT.. SAY IT AINT SO!! #werooolllliin #whogoingtohypeusupnow

— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) March 3, 2015

You are irreplaceable @BurtWatson4real thanks for always getting me hyped. Enjoy your future endeavors. @ufc pic.twitter.com/2FtY7rhAyO

— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) March 3, 2015

After 14 years, Burt Watson retires. He was one of the best parts of fight week. Blessed to have had… https://t.co/Arrjz9mzXn

— russell doane (@RussellDoane135) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real those 7 years I spent in the @ufc were great with you there glad you left after I was gone. #classact #wouldntbethesame

— Leonard Garcia (@badboygarcia) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real I will miss you!! There is only 1 babysitter to the stars and thats you!! Take care

— Germaine de Randamie (@IronLadyMMA) March 3, 2015

So grateful that I got to meet this legend, Burt Watson, before his retirement from the @ufc pic.twitter.com/oVfpoLF5q3

— Emily Peters Kagan (@EmilyPKagan) March 3, 2015

I met only once burtwatson4real and found an amazing person, thanks for all the motivation for years… https://t.co/hJPJXrhr7E

— C H I T O V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) March 3, 2015

@BurtWatson4real I love you, Burt. You were my favorite part of the UFC & it won't be the same without you. Thank you for all that you gave!

— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) March 3, 2015

You, @BurtWatson4real will truly be missed. The @UFC won't be the same without you. Thanks for all that you did.

— Aaron Simpson (@aaronsimpson) March 3, 2015