The UFC is sharpening its scissors, and some fighters are feeling the snip. In just three days, seven athletes found themselves on the chopping block. Why the sudden urge to trim the roster? Well, it’s that time of year again. Dana White’s Contender Series is gearing up for its eighth season.
This talent pipeline is ready to unleash a fresh batch of hungry fighters into the UFC. Last year, the Contender Series awarded 46 contracts. That’s a lot of new faces needing lockers in the UFC gym. Something’s got to give, and unfortunately, it’s the careers of some existing roster members.
The cuts came swiftly between July 29 and 31. Among the departed are some familiar names. Emily Ducote, Miguel Baeza, and Muhammad Mokaev all got their walking papers. Lucie Pudilova, Josh Quinlan, Sergey Morozov, and Mariya Agapova round out the list. Mokaev’s release raised a few eyebrows. With a perfect 7-0 record in the UFC, his skills seemed solid.
This roster shuffle isn’t over yet. Inactive fighters and those on losing streaks might be sweating more than usual. The Contender Series kicks off on August 13 and runs for ten weeks. That’s a lot of time for more cuts. It’s a harsh reminder of the UFC’s “perform or perish” mentality. One day, the fighter is in the Octagon, and the next, they’re updating your LinkedIn profile, looking for a job.
Alex Pereira’s Kickboxing Rival To Fight In The Contender Series
The UFC’s talent scouts are at it again, fishing for the next big thing. This time, they’ve cast their net into familiar waters. A blast from Alex Pereira’s past might soon step into the octagon. Artem Vakhitov, a former GLORY kickboxing champion, is set to appear on Dana White’s Contender Series.
The Russian fighter will showcase his skills on October 8, hoping to earn a UFC contract. If Vakhitov’s name rings a bell, it’s because he has a history with the current UFC Light Heavyweight champ. He and Pereira traded victories in two epic GLORY kickboxing bouts.
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Now, Vakhitov wants to follow in Pereira‘s footsteps and transition to MMA stardom. His MMA journey hasn’t been all smooth sailing, though. His debut ended with an injury stopping the fight in under a minute. But he bounced back with two first-round finishes, proving he’s no one-trick pony.
The Contender Series has been a goldmine for the UFC. It’s where diamonds in the rough get their chance to shine. With some established fighters cut from the UFC, White is hoping to open up some space for the next generation of MMA prodigies.
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