A pair of somewhat surprising names are the latest to exit the UFC.
Askar Askarov and Krzysztof Jotko are no longer part of the promotion, Cageside Press has learned. Both fighters were removed from the UFC’s fighter database, as noted by automated service UFC Roster Watch.
Askarov (14-1-1), a potential contender in the flyweight division, had recently requested his release from the promotion, and stated he received a “positive” response in regards to the request. The release of the Dagestani fighter comes as a surprise, though as he noted on social media, his would-be fight with Brandon Royval was to have been the last on his current contract.
“Due to the fact that my return was delayed, for health reasons and this was my last fight under the contract, I asked the UFC to release me,” he wrote (translation via Google Translate). “To which I received a positive response. First, let’s put health in order, and then we’ll see what [comes next] and how.”
Askarov was to fight Royval on October 15, but the fight was scratched with the promotion citing “weight management issues” on the part of the 30-year old from Dagestan, Russia. Through five UFC fights, Askarov posted a 3-1-1 record, losing only to Kai Kara-France, and drawing with Brandon Moreno.
Jotko (24-6) joined the UFC in 2013, spending nine years with the promotion. Starting his career at 14-0, he suffered his first loss in just his second UFC bout, but went on to post a 11-6 record inside the octagon.
The Polish middleweight lost via submission to Brendan Allen at UFC Vegas 61 earlier this month, and afterwards could be seen attempting to remove his gloves. That may have signaled retirement, though he was not given the opportunity to speak post-fight.
Jotko had built up a three-fight win streak prior to the Allen loss.
