Montano Issues Statement After UFC Release: ‘Down But Never Out

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano has broken her silence after being released by the promotion earlier this month following a botched weight cut…


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Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano has broken her silence after being released by the promotion earlier this month following a botched weight cut.

Montano, who hasn’t competed inside of the Octagon since a loss to Julianna Pena back in July 2019, was scheduled to meet Wu Yanan last weekend at UFC Vegas 33. However, Montano missed weight by a shocking seven pounds and the bout was yanked from the card (details HERE).

Unfortunately, this was not the first time Montano has pulled out of a fight. In fact, since her last trip to the cage, Montano has pulled out of fights six different times due to injury, COVID-19 protocol, travel restrictions, and/or failed weight cuts. It has prohibited her from fulfilling her UFC contract and actually becoming a valued member of the roster. In turn, UFC decided to cut ties earlier this week and let Montano walk.

Montano, who had a promising career after winning the inaugural flyweight strap back in 2017, released a statement to Instagram on Thursday regarding her recent UFC release. Check it out below:

“Down but never out… Seems to be the story of my career but for better or for worse I’m in the thicc [sic] of it and MMA is how I started my personal growth and I will never give up on me. It has brought me the highest of highs and lowest of lows and if it ain’t that, am I really living..?”

Montano, 32, is likely to find a job somewhere else. But with many of her issues beginning outside of the cage it’s hard to tell if the flyweight fighter will button things up moving forward. It would be nice to see her make her return to action, but nobody knows her future at this time.