Whether directly related or not, in the wake of the latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series wrapping up (with another record number of UFC contracts handed out), the UFC has trimmed their roster a little.
On Tuesday, automated service UFC Roster Watch noted the removal of multiple fighters from the promotion’s athlete database. Among them, longtime Canadian standout John Makdessi, who recently dropped a decision many saw as a robbery.
The full list of fighters let go (which could include releases or contracts simply not renewed) to date is as follows:
- JP Buys
- Carl Deaton
- Andre Fialho
- AJ Fletcher
- Kamuela Kirk
- Tucker Lutz
- John Makdessi
- Shane Young
Additionally, both Hannah Goldy and Jake Collier were removed from the roster earlier this month.
Buys confirmed his exit from the promotion on social media, writing a brief message on his Instagram Story. “Thank you and so long UFC. It’s never been easy for me but at the time I gave it all I had.”
Carl Deaton also confirmed his removal from the roster, thanking fans and adding “I’m in a new ring.” There’s no confirmation as to where Deaton has landed just yet.
Makdessi’s name, however, is likely the one that will take most fans by surprise. “The Bull” joined the promotion in 2010 and posted an 11-9 record through twenty fights with the company. Most recently, he was on the wrong end of a unanimous decision at UFC 293 in Sydney against Jamie Mullarkey — and made headlines after he revealed how much he had lost to taxes while fighting abroad in Australia.
Andre Fialho being out, meanwhile, doesn’t quite come as a shock having lost four straight. But as a sure-fire entertainer coming off a Fight of the Night bonus-winning effort, it’s still somewhat surprising to see him shown the door, even after the four-pack of setbacks. In seven fights with the promotion, Fialho bagged three post-fight bonuses.
