Today the UFC made the shocking announcement that it would be releasing sixteen fighters from it’s roster. Some were expected (see: Santiago, Hieron) and others were like a blow upside the head, like Jon Fitch. Below is the compiled list of the fighters that Zuffa deemed no longer worthy of a UFC contract.
Now which of these guys will move to Bellator or World Series of Fighting?
Jon Fitch: 24-5-1-1 Fitch was 1-2-1 in last four UFC fights but was also known as the man to beat before you were thrust into title-contention. Shocking.
Wagner Prado: At 8-2-1, Prado was going to make a dent in the light heavyweight division, then Phil Davis dominated him and he he goes 0-2-1 in last three UFC fights.
Mike Russow: 15-3-1 .The Chicago cop was destroying Shawn Jordan at UFC on FOX: Dodson vs. Johnson, but he ended up losing in spectacular fashion. The heavyweight was 0-2 in last two UFC fights
Jacob Volkmann: 15-4. The wrestler was an owner of a five-fight winstreak, then he went 1-2 in his next three. He was Submitted by Bobby Green at UFC 156.
Vladimir Matyushenko: The old veteran finally gets his walking papers at 26-7 but 0-2 in last two UFC fights.
Che Mills: 15-6-1 and always exciting, he lost a split-decision to Matt Riddle at UFC on FUEL TV 7 last week. 1-2 in last three UFC fights.
Jay Hieron: 23-7 and like Jorge Santiago, is cut for the third time by the UFC. 0-2 in last two UFC fights.
Terry Etim: 15-5 but 1-3 in last four UFC fights including the knockout of the year by way of Edson Baroboza’s wheel kick to his head.
Paul Sass: 13-2 and once heralded as the next big thing with his impressive submissions, gets cut after going 0-2 in last two UFC fights.
Jorge Santiago: 25-11 and 0-3 in his last three UFC fights dating back over three separate UFC stints.
Mike Stumpf: 11-4 and was 0-2 in his last two UFC fights.
Simeon Thoresen: 17-4 but 0-2 in his last two UFC fights. Somewhat surprising considering the UFC’s want to expand into Europe.
C.J. Keith: 8-2 with his 2 losses coming in his last two UFC fights.
Motonobu Tezuka: 19-6 and 0-2 in his last two UFC fights.
Josh Grispi: 14-5 but 0-4 in his last four UFC fights. This makes sense.
Ulysses Gomez : 9-4 and 0-2 in his last two UFC fights.
Ugh.
