Fighters who secure a victory within one minute of their previous win in the UFC will no longer remain on the roster.
Last week saw six fighters removed from the UFC lineup amid ongoing departures that continued through the promotion’s year-end hiatus.
While many of these releases were expected due to the fighters’ track records inside the Octagon, one athlete’s departure was surprising. This fighter, who recently left the UFC after failing to re-sign despite an impressive 23-fight unbeaten run, shared some intriguing insights when speaking directly to fans.
Rinat Fakhreddinov’s exit from the UFC took many by surprise as the promotion chose not to renew his contract after it expired. Fakhreddinov had defeated Andreas Gustafsson in just 54 seconds in September, boasting a 6-0-1 record inside the Octagon. The 34-year-old welterweight appeared poised to break into the top 15 rankings, having also defeated notable fighters like Kevin Lee, Brian Battle, and Nicholas Dalby.
In a video addressed to fans and reposted on X, Fakhreddinov explained he wasn’t cut from the UFC but that his contract was not renewed for unspecified reasons. He promised to reveal more details soon in an interview or podcast and mentioned receiving numerous offers with varied compensation. He also stated he would take some time off from fighting to consider his next steps, assuring fans that nothing disastrous had occurred and hinting at possible friction with the promotion.
Alongside Fakhreddinov, other fighters like Loic Radjabov and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos were also removed from the roster. Radjabov holds a 2-2 UFC record, while Zaleski dos Santos competed 18 times, finishing with an 11-6-1 UFC record and notable wins over Sean Strickland and Benoit Saint-Denis. Zaleski dos Santos also fought to a majority draw with Fakhreddinov in 2023.
Fan Take: This development highlights the unpredictable nature of UFC roster decisions, reminding fans that impressive records don’t always guarantee longevity in the promotion. It also opens doors for new talent and signals potential shifts in matchmaking strategies, which could bring fresh excitement to the sport.
