Five more fighters have been cut from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
UFC Roster Tracker revealed recently (Fri., Jan. 23, 2024) that five more fighters (who all competed on Contender Series) have been released from their respective contracts and/or the promotion decided not to extend them.
The fighters who lost their spot on the roster include:
Ihor Potieria
Viktoriia Dudakova
Jose Johnson
Magomed Gadzhiyasulov
Josefine Knutsson
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Of the five fighters who lost their job, Potieria (21-8) had the most fights in the promotion. “Duelist” scored one of his two wins over former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in his second fight with UFC (watch highlights).
The mixed martial arts (MMA) God must have been pissed off over Rua’s loss because Potieria would face four more Brazilians over the next two years, losing to all of them and being finished three times.
Potieria exits UFC with a 2-6 record.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
After starting her career undefeated (8-0) and with significant hype, Dudakova (8-2) won her first two UFC fights but then dropped two straight bouts inside the Octagon and was finished in her last outing … she also slapped her husband/coach after the loss.
At just 25 years old, Dudakova could get a few wins on the regional scene and get the call back to the promotion. The Russian exits UFC after going 2-2.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Knutsson (8-1) was the most confusing release because she showed a lot of promise and only lost once in the UFC (in her last outing against Piera Rodriguez).
While she didn’t receive a UFC contract when she competed on Contender Series, she was signed less than one month later for Noche UFC.
But not all is bad for Knutsson because Team London recently drafted her for GFL.
“Thunder” exits UFC with a 2-1 record.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Gadzhiyasulov (9-1) fought twice in UFC. He won his debut against Brendson Ribeiro and then lost his most recent fight against Bruno Lopes, who was debuting at UFC Vegas 101.
Both of his fights were painfully boring and panned by fans, which might have led the matchmakers to give the Russian his pink slip.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Johnson (16-10) fought four times inside the Octagon, only winning once against Chad Anheliger.
“Lobo Solitario” dropped down to Flyweight for his last two UFC fights after several years at Bantamweight but had no success, losing both fights.
Johnson exits UFC with a 1-3 record.
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