The UFC has parted ways with two more fighters as of Tuesday afternoon.
UFC Roster Watch, an automated service monitoring the promotion’s athlete database, was first to note that Mana Martinez and Rafael Alves were no longer part of the active roster.
Martinez later confirmed the news, issuing a brief statement on social media in which he promised to eventually return.
Losses turned into lessons…
There’s zero quit in me.
I know exactly what I’ve got to do moving forward. The amount of support and love I’ve received since I’ve started this journey has been endless, and I can’t thank everyone enough. I’m a dawg and you’ll have to kill me to get rid of me. I’ll be back
Bantamweight Mana Martinez (10-4) last fought at UFC 285, where he dropped a majority decision against South Africa’s Cameron Saaiman that saw his opponent deducted a point following multiple groin strikes. That dropped his record to 2-2 in the UFC, and may have signalled the end of his contract.
Lightweight Alves (20-12) went 1-3 in the UFC, losing to Drew Dober, Damir Ismagulov, and Nurullo Aliev. While an entertaining and promising talent, Alves’ lack of success — his lone win in the UFC came against Marc Diakiese in 2021 — combined with a then record-setting weight miss of 11.5lbs for a scheduled 145lb fight with Pat Sabatini certainly didn’t help things.
The Brazilian earned his shot in the UFC on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020 and had a five-fight win streak going when he made his debut with the organization.
Also recently removed from the UFC roster was Leonardo Santos, who announced his retirement last year.
