The UFC reportedly made a new round of roster cuts this week that includes a few veteran names that will be familiar to many fight fans.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has the largest roster in the world of mixed martial arts. With a huge broadcast deal with ESPN, the promotion needs a sizable pool of athletes to fill up their fight cards that happen on a near-weekly basis.
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However, with the roster being restocked frequently via Dana White’s Contender Series and LFA, it opens the door for the company to trim the fat and cut ties with competitors that may not be maintaining the standard necessary to be called UFC fighters.
Andre Fialho understandably cut by UFC after four-straight KO losses
On Tuesday evening, roster tracking X, formerly Twitter, account UFC Roster Tracker revealed that eight fighters had been removed from the promotion’s roster page on their website. The released athletes are John Makdessi, Andre Fialho, Hannah Goldy, JP Buys, Carl Deaton, A.J. Fletcher, Kamuela Kirk, Tucker Lutz and Shane Young.
Makdessi is the most notable name on the list after having a 13-year run with the promotion and competing inside the Octagon 20 times. Unfortunately, he has lost three of his last four, following a three-fight win streak. He ended his tenure in the company with a solid 11-9 record.
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Fialho got off to a strong start to his UFC career as he won two of his first three and developed a reputation as an action fighter. Something the promotion holds a high value on. Yet, you live by the sword and die by the sword, and he suffered knockout losses in his last four bouts.
Goldy was a fan-favorite during her five-bout run in the Octagon, but she only earned just one victory in that time and as the women’s ranks continue to grow stronger the 31-year-old became expendable after suffering another loss last month.