With the UFC reportedly looking at reducing its number of events next year, several fighters are now confirmed to be off the roster.
In a week in which the UFC’s planned employee layoffs have dominated the news, withmany longtime executives let go from the promotion, the attention has now turned to the fighters.
With reports that the UFC, now under WME-IMG ownership, is looking to reduce its yearly number of events to the mid-30s range (as opposed to the 40+ schedule from 2014-2016),MMA Fighting has confirmed the release of more than a dozen fighters from the promotion.
Among the list of names is TUF 17’s Kevin Casey (9-5-1, 2 NCs), who has been cut a 2nd time from the UFC. Casey was stopped by Sam Alvey back in August, and he’s managed just 1 official win in his last 6 fights, with a win vs. Bubba Bush flipped to a no-contest due to a failed drug test.
Also gone is Tamdan McCrory, whose UFC return got off to a positive start with a submission win over the late Josh Samman, but “Barncat” has since been KO’d in consecutive fights by Krzysztof Jotko and Nate Marquardt.
Lookin’ For a Fight heavyweight Cody East has been cut after going 0-2 inside the Octagon, losing by TKO to Walt Harris and Curtis Blaydes. He is the first fighter signed off of Dana White’s show to be released from the promotion.
Here is the complete list of fighters who have been released, including Enrique Marin and Antonio Silva, both of whom had their departures from the promotion made public already:
Cody East
Leonardo Augusto ‘Leleco’ Guimaraes
Enrique Marin
Tamdan McCrory
Kenny Robertson
Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva
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