Rumors began to circulate during the UFC 184: Rousey vs. Zingano event in Los Angeles on Feb. 28 that longtime production manager Burt Watson had left the organization. On Tuesday, the man introduced during the weigh-ins as “Babysitter to the Stars” confirmed his departure and fighters took to Twitter to react.
> SEE ALSO: After 14 Years, UFC’s Babysitter to the Stars Calls it Quits
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
@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
Thank you for everything @BurtWatson4real . YOU DA MAN!
— BJ PENN (@bjpenndotcom) March 3, 2015
@BurtWatson4real Best of luck to you, Burt! You’re a good man. — Pat Miletich (@patmiletich) March 3, 2015
I added a video to a @YouTube playlist http://t.co/MsnvrwxWK4 “We Rolliiiinnnnn!!!” Get To Know Burt Watson,
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) 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
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
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
.@BurtWatson4real you’re the MAN!!! Not gonna be the same at all without u…enjoy retirement my friend…
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) March 3, 2015
@BurtWatson4real this makes me so sad 🙁
— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) 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
How weird its gonna be without the “we rooooolling ” minutes away before the walk out … @BurtWatson4real #HOF #legend @ufc — patrick cote (@patrick_cote) March 3, 2015
@BurtWatson4real BURT NOOOOOO!!! I needed for my next bout Burt!! I’m going to cry!!!
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) 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
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
Burt! Wtf — John Moraga (@chicanojohn) 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
Say it aint so!!! @BurtWatson4real — Brandon Thatch (@RUKUSMMA303) March 3, 2015
@BurtWatson4real you’ll be missed Burt
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) March 3, 2015
@BurtWatson4real thank you for everything sir. You’ll always be the man with the plan. — Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) 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
The man I love and respect 100% @BurtWatson4real — Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) 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
You’re the Man Burt! It won’t be the same without you burtwatson4real https://t.co/rN05GwGxE9 — Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA) 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
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
Best of luck in your next chapter of life @BurtWatson4real you will be greatly missed!
— Eddie Wineland (@EddieWineland) 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
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
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 love you baby! Thanks for making some awesome memories for me!
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) March 3, 2015
Sad to hear about @burtwatson4real Stepping down. In only 3 fights with the UFC I felt ver… http://t.co/y0DOs4LkXm pic.twitter.com/RpMMtO4mw1 — Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) 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 you are a legend! Best wishes for your future — Chad Laprise (@ChadLaprise) 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
@BurtWatson4real is the ultimate bad man, keeping the toughest of the tough in line!! Sad day — ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) 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
Sad day in @ufc today burtwatson4real will be more than missed It was your voice that always… https://t.co/RLGo9maH5I — FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) 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
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
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
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
Hopefully the @UFC does the right thing and inducts @BurtWatson4real into the Hall of Fame. He is irreplaceable. pic.twitter.com/ZABImHq1zv
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) 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
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
We gonna miss you @BurtWatson4real pic.twitter.com/Swq7O3HveT
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) March 3, 2015