The number of UFC departures in the past few weeks is now up to 15, as more fighters have officially parted ways with the promotion.
Days after eight fighters including veterans Ilir Latifi and Makwan Amirkhani announced they were no longer on the roster, MMA Junkie has confirmed seven more names that first appeared on an algorithm-based Twitter account. Watch the UFC schedule.
Check out the seven names below. Note: It is unclear if the fighters were released mid-contract or if they left the promotion after their promotional deals were terminated, unless stated a otherwise.
Nick Fiore
Age:25
Record:6-2
UFC roster:0-2
Weight class: Light
The third member of the New England Cartel to join the promotion, Nick Fiore’s UFC tenure lasted about five months. After a short notice loss to Mateusz Rebecki in January, Fiore lost a second unanimous decision to Chase Hooper in May.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed Fiore’s release to MMA Junkie.
Eric Gonzalez
Ageat: 31
Record: 14-8
UFC roster:0-3
Weight class: Light
It was three for Erick Gonzalez, but he took some violence despite the loss. After a big loss to Jim Miller in his debut, Gonzalez fought Terrance McKinney in a wild fire. McKinney submitted Gonzalez, who returned to fight Trevor Peek in February. Again, the fight was full of action but Gonzalez lost by knockout in Round 1.
Eric Gonzalez announced his UFC release June 1st.
Bea Malecki
Ageat: 31
Recordat: 2-1
UFC rosterat: 2-1
Weight class: Bantamweight
Bea Malecki made her professional debut at the same time as her UFC debut after a stint on “The Ultimate Fighter,” Season 28. After back-to-back wins over Duda Santana and Veronica Hardy to begin her UFC career, Malecki was eliminated by Josiane Nunes in August 2021. Struggling with prolonged concussion-like issues, Malecki revealed that her UFC departure was mutual and based on her desire to fight at pounds 145 – a division that the promotion does not often schedule fights.
Malecki confirmed her UFC in a recent Instagram post.
Maria Oliveira
Age:26
Record: 13-7
UFC roster: 1-3
Weight class: Weight of straw
Maria Oliveira showed glimpses of promise during her time in the UFC, but back-to-back decision losses sent her back to the free agent pool. After a 1-1 start to her promotion tenure that included a victory over Gloria de Paula, Oliveira lost back-to-back decisions to Vanessa Demopoulos and Diana Belbita, which took place on June 10 in June, leading to her UFC split.
UFC officials confirmed the news with MMA Fighting.
Aaron Phillips
Age:
Record: 12-5
UFC roster:0-4
Weight class: Bantamweight
Aaron Phillips’ second UFC stint has ended after an 0-2 stretch – as did his first in 2014. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Phillips was -into the promotion after five straight wins. Upon his return, Phillips lost by submission to Jack Shore in July 2020. After several layoffs, Phillips returned in April 2023 and lost a unanimous decision to newcomer Gaston Bolanos.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed Phillips’ release to MMA Junkie.
Takashi Sato
Ageat: 32
Record: 16-10
UFC roster:2-5
Weight class: moist weight
Japan’s Takashi Sato leaves the UFC after four straight losses. After a 2-1 start to his promotion tenure that included TKOs of Ben Saunders and Jason Witt, Sato dropped bouts against Miguel Baeza, Gunnar Nelson, Bryan Battle, and Themba Gorimbo before retiring by the UFC.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed Sato’s departure to MMA Junkie.
To the English
Ageat: 31
Record: 12-5
UFC roster:0-2
Weight class: Featherweight
Don Sainis from Massachusetts had two fights in the UFC and although they were both losses, it happened very differently. After a 30-second submission loss to Sodiq Yusuff in October, Chinese set up a three-round fight against Jack Jenkins at UFC 284 in February. Sainis lost by unanimous decision but showed toughness and perseverance throughout.
Don Sainis confirmed his UFC release in a recent Instagram post.
Other possible proceedings
The following fights were also found by UFC Roster Watch to be removed from fan rating eligibility, but MMA Junkie has yet to confirm the fighters’ status.
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Welterweight: Orion Cosce (8-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
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Lightweight: Maxim Grishin (32-10-2 MMA, 2-3 UFC)
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Featherweight: Journey Newson (10-5 MMA, 1-4 UFC)
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Welterweight: Martin Sano Jr. (4-3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
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Heavyweight: Braxton Smith (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Story first appeared on MMA Junkie
