Wednesday, March 6, 2013


UFC Drops 16 Fighters


 

The UFC has dropped 16 fighters from its promotion, according to reports in various outlets. Confirmation came from Dana White, via MMA Fighting that the fighters had been let go on Tuesday, February 19. The fighters included some names that fans will likely know very well. Each of the fighters who was dropped lost the last fight they were in, and some had lost several of the last fights that they had been featured in.

 

Likely the biggest name that people will remember among the fighters who were let go from the UFC promotion was Jon Fitch, who was once a contender for the welterweight championship in the UFC. The full list includes:

 

  • C.J. Keith
  • Che Mills
  • Jacob Volkmann
  • Jay Hieron
  • Jon Fitch
  • Jorge Santiago
  • Josh Grispi
  • Mike Russow
  • Mike Stumpf
  • Motonobu Tezuka
  • Paul Sass
  • Simeon Thoresen
  • Terry Etim
  • Ulysses Gomez 
  • Vladimir Matyushenko
  • Wagner Prado

 

According to reports in multiple sources, letting Fitch go has caused quite a bit of ire among fans. Fitch hasn’t been in a fight since UFC 156, which he lost by a decision, but he has a large fan base due to his impressive performance prior to his losses over the previous couple of years.

 

Fitch’s dismissal has been racked up to him not being the most exciting fighter to watch, according to chatter on MMA fan forums. Many fans brought up the fact that Fitch was ranked number nine out of the top 10 welterweights in the UFC welterweight rankings and that, overall, his record stands at 14-3-1 in UFC and 24-5-1 across his total MMA career, certainly not an unimpressive performance. His last four fights, however, gave him a 1-2-1 record. Nonetheless, his victory over Erick Silva was a contender for Fight of the Night, according to MMA Weekly, and a lot of fans are surprised to see the welterweight being sent out of the promotion.

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