UFC Releases Nine Fighters, Including Veteran John Makdessi

The UFC has decided to release nine fighters from its roster, including John Makdessi, a longtime lightweight contender. MMA Fighting confirmed the news with a source close to the situation, after Twitter user Roster Tracker first reported it.

Makdessi (18-9) had a disappointing run in his last four UFC fights, losing three of them by decision to Francisco Trinaldo, Nasrat Haqparast and Jamie Mullarkey. He had a 11-9 record in the UFC since 2010, when he made his debut. The Canadian fighter recently shared his pay breakdown on social media, revealing that he only took home $28,461.65 of his $58,000 show money, after paying taxes, medical, airfare, and other fees.

Fialho (16-8, 1 no contest) was knocked out four times in a row in less than two years, leaving the UFC with a 2-5 record. He lost his last fight to Tim Means by third-round TKO in September, but earned a Fight of the Night bonus for his performance. Goldy (6-4) only won one of her five UFC fights, losing her last two to Molly McCann and Mizuki Inoue. Fletcher (10-3) and Lutz (12-4) finished their four-fight UFC contracts with only one win each.

Young (13-8), who faced future champion Alexander Volkanovski in his first UFC fight, was cut after four consecutive losses. He failed to make weight and was submitted by Gabriel Miranda in his last bout.

Buys (9-6), who was signed from Dana White’s Contender Series, lost all four of his UFC fights. Deaton (17-7, 2 no contests) also went 0-2 in the UFC.

Kirk (11-6), who pulled off an upset win over Makwan Amirkhani in his UFC debut, was released after two losses to Damon Jackson and Esteban Ribovics.