Tag: UFC firings

And Now He’s Fired: Ryan Couture Released From the UFC Following Back-to-Back Losses [UPDATEish]


(Here we are, just a couple of wild and crazy guys!) 

After collecting an impressive 6-1 streak in Strikeforce, Hyan Couture (son of “Handy”) was among the faces to make the transition to the UFC when the promotion was bought out by Zuffa earlier this year*. Unfortunately, it seems that Couture will also be joining the small-but-growing list of Strikeforce fighters who weren’t able to hack it in the big leagues, as the UFC confirmed his release following two consecutive losses earlier today.

Couture last competed at UFC 164 in August, where he dropped a unanimous decision to TUF 15 *finalist* (ouch) Al Iaquinta on the Facebook preliminary portion (Daaaaang!) of the card. In his UFC debut at UFC on FUEL 9, Couture was TKO’d by TUF 9 winner Ross Pearson in the second round.

Although we’re sure this has absolutely nothing to do with the UFC’s ongoing war of words with Randy Couture and company, it will be interesting to see just how many wins Randy Lite will have to score in smaller promotions before he is invited back. Or, if he is invited back (DUN-DUN-DUN).

UPDATE: Three more profiles have been removed from UFC.com. To see who they are, join us after the jump.


(Here we are, just a couple of wild and crazy guys!) 

After collecting an impressive 6-1 streak in Strikeforce, Hyan Couture (son of “Handy”) was among the faces to make the transition to the UFC when the promotion was bought out by Zuffa earlier this year*. Unfortunately, it seems that Couture will also be joining the small-but-growing list of Strikeforce fighters who weren’t able to hack it in the big leagues, as the UFC confirmed his release following two consecutive losses earlier today.

Couture last competed at UFC 164 in August, where he dropped a unanimous decision to TUF 15 *finalist* (ouch) Al Iaquinta on the Facebook preliminary portion (Daaaaang!) of the card. In his UFC debut at UFC on FUEL 9, Couture was TKO’d by TUF 9 winner Ross Pearson in the second round.

Although we’re sure this has absolutely nothing to do with the UFC’s ongoing war of words with Randy Couture and company, it will be interesting to see just how many wins Randy Lite will have to score in smaller promotions before he is invited back. Or, if he is invited back (DUN-DUN-DUN).

Anyone have the slightest idea where Couture will land? The best bet is probably Bellator — in which case, he can forget all about being invited back for a multitude of reasons – but we could just as easily see Couture winding up in a lower level promotion like Legacy Fighting Championships. Worst case scenario: We see Couture powerbombing his way through the Super Fight League’s elite (that’s a thing, right) in a year’s time. Ah, to be an MMA fighter.

[UPDATE]

As first passed along by BloodyElbow, the following profiles have also recently been removed from their respective rosters on UFC.com:

Papy Abedi: 1-3, with all 3 losses coming via stoppage to Thiago Alves, Dylan Andrews, and…

James Head: 2-3, with a notable victory over Brian Ebersole and losses to Nick Ring, Mike Pyle and Jason High

Ben Alloway: After scoring an impressive front kick KO over Manuel Rodriguez in his UFC debut, this TUF: Smashes alum has dropped two straight to Ryan Laflare and Zak Cummings.

*Does anyone else feel like it’s been years since Strikeforce was bought out? Maybe the days are slipping away from me, or maybe watching Tarec Saffiedine’s grow into a future serial killer has skewed my sense of time. In any case…damn. 

–J. Jones

The UFC Releases Alleged Neo-Nazi Fighter Benjamin Brinsa


(Photo via @BenjaminBrinsa)

In late July, we gave you the heads-up that a recent UFC signee named Benjamin Brinsa had been accused of having ties with Neo-Nazism and hooligan groups. Though Brinsa vehemently denied the accusations and called it a “smear campaign,” UFC president Dana White promised to look into the claims.

A month and a half later, the UFC has made a decision — Brinsa’s UFC contract has been terminated. MMAFighting confirmed the news with the promotion.

Considering that the undefeated welterweight was already becoming persona non grata in his native country for his dubious associations, the UFC release could be a career-killer. Brinsa has not yet issued a public statement about the news; we’ll update you if and when he does.


(Photo via @BenjaminBrinsa)

In late July, we gave you the heads-up that a recent UFC signee named Benjamin Brinsa had been accused of having ties with Neo-Nazism and hooligan groups. Though Brinsa vehemently denied the accusations and called it a “smear campaign,” UFC president Dana White promised to look into the claims.

A month and a half later, the UFC has made a decision — Brinsa’s UFC contract has been terminated. MMAFighting confirmed the news with the promotion.

Considering that the undefeated welterweight was already becoming persona non grata in his native country for his dubious associations, the UFC release could be a career-killer. Brinsa has not yet issued a public statement about the news; we’ll update you if and when he does.

And Now They’re Fired: Gracie, Magalhaes, Herman, And Three Other Fighters Removed From UFC.com Roster


(*yawn*…damn, I was having the most incredible dream. I was being held in the arms of a beautiful woman. She had this long, blonde braid that was tickling my-OH MY GOD, NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” / Photo via Getty)

It’s been a while since the UFC has had a good ol’ mass bloodletting, and it looks like the UFC sent out the firing squad this week, with a half-dozen struggling fighters removed from the UFC.com roster after recent losses. Let’s run ’em down…

Roger Gracie: Gracie’s contract wasn’t renewed after his uninspiring loss to Tim Kennedy during his Octagon debut at UFC 162, officially making him the third-straight Gracie to go “one and done” in the UFC.

Vinny Magalhaes: Vinny’s 14-second knockout loss to Anthony Perosh at UFC 163 made it two defeats in a row for him — following a decision loss against Phil Davis in April — and dropped his overall Octagon record to 1-4, through two stints in the promotion. Last week, the TUF 8 finalist claimed he would retire from MMA if the UFC dropped him. So…good luck, man.

Dave Herman: Four-straight stoppage losses and two failed drug-tests for marijuana — few fighters have had poorer showings in the Octagon than Pee-Wee. It’s a mystery why he even got a chance to fight Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 162 in the first place, but a 17-second KO loss sealed his fate for good.


(*yawn*…damn, I was having the most incredible dream. I was being held in the arms of a beautiful woman. She had this long, blonde braid that was tickling my-OH MY GOD, NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” / Photo via Getty)

It’s been a while since the UFC has had a good ol’ mass bloodletting, and it looks like the UFC sent out the firing squad this week, with a half-dozen struggling fighters removed from the UFC.com roster after recent losses. Let’s run ‘em down…

Roger Gracie: Gracie’s contract wasn’t renewed after his uninspiring loss to Tim Kennedy during his Octagon debut at UFC 162, officially making him the third-straight Gracie to go “one and done” in the UFC.

Vinny Magalhaes: Vinny’s 14-second knockout loss to Anthony Perosh at UFC 163 made it two defeats in a row for him — following a decision loss against Phil Davis in April — and dropped his overall Octagon record to 1-4, through two stints in the promotion. Last week, the TUF 8 finalist claimed he would retire from MMA if the UFC dropped him. So…good luck, man.

Dave Herman: Four-straight stoppage losses and two failed drug-tests for marijuana — few fighters have had poorer showings in the Octagon than Pee-Wee. It’s a mystery why he even got a chance to fight Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 162 in the first place, but a 17-second KO loss sealed his fate for good.

Ednaldo Oliveira: “Squidward” came into the UFC as an undefeated heavyweight, was quickly subbed by Gabriel Gonzaga last January at UFC 142, spent an entire year battling injuries, dropped to light-heavyweight, and lost to some guy named Francimar at UFC 163. peaceout.gif

Bristol Marunde: Marunde’s two-fight stint in the UFC resulted in stoppage losses to Clint Hester at the TUF 17 Finale and Viscardi Andrade at UFC 163. The loss to Andrade was actually Marunde’s third overall, as he entered the UFC following a submission loss to Ronaldo Souza in Strikeforce.

John Maguire: The fact that Maguire won his first two fights in the Octagon makes him the most successful UFC fighter on this list by far. At one point a solid British prospect with an interesting backstory, Maguire followed up those wins with decision losses to John Hathaway and Matt Riddle. Then, Maguire dropped to lightweight and lost another decision to Mitch Clarke at UFC 161 in June. Three in a row, gots to go.

And Now They’re Fired: Karlos Vemola, Roger Hollett, and a Bunch of Guys You’ve Probably Never Heard of Get the Axe


(Hollett’s spinning elbow may have been way off the mark that night, but his impression of a James Toney side check kick was SPOT ON.) 

Another Monday morning means another batch of UFC firings, Nation. Thankfully, none of the names on today’s list should really come as all that big a surprise, so let’s quit beating around the bush and get right to this thing…

Roger “The Hulk” Hollett: This one-time Bellator veteran was originally brought over to face Matt Hamill in his un-retirement fight at UFC 152, was then forced out of the fight do to a contract dispute with his former promotion (Author’s note: My shocked face. Let me show you it.) and replaced by Vladimir Matyushenko, and was then brought back in against Hamill when Vladdy went down with an injury. Unfortunately, the story ends with Hollett getting his ass handed to him in a snoozer at UFC 152, then getting similarly outgunned by Fabio Maldonado at UFC on FX 8 last month. Sad story, bro. This one’s on us.


(Hollett’s spinning elbow may have been way off the mark that night, but his impression of a James Toney side check kick was SPOT ON.) 

Another Monday morning means another batch of UFC firings, Nation. Thankfully, none of the names on today’s list should really come as all that big a surprise, so let’s quit beating around the bush and get right to this thing…

Roger “The Hulk” Hollett: This one-time Bellator veteran was originally brought over to face Matt Hamill in his un-retirement fight at UFC 152, was then forced out of the fight do to a contract dispute with his former promotion (Author’s note: My shocked face. Let me show you it.) and replaced by Vladimir Matyushenko, and was then brought back in against Hamill when Vladdy went down with an injury. Unfortunately, the story ends with Hollett getting his ass handed to him in a snoozer at UFC 152, then getting similarly outgunned by Fabio Maldonado at UFC on FX 8 last month. Sad story, bro. This one’s on us.

Karlos “The Terminator” Vemola: Not since Kenny Florian have we seen a fighter change weight classes so many times over the course of a UFC career. After entering the promotion as a heavyweight in 2010 and suffering a UD loss to Jon Madsen, Vemola immediately dropped down to 205, where he scored a KOTN-earning win over the now-retired Seth Petruzelli at UFC 122. A decision loss to Ronny Markes in his next contest would sending him down to the middleweight division, where he would submit Mike Massenzio with a rear-naked choke at UFC on FOX 3 before getting rear-naked choked by Francis Carmont and Caio Magalhaes in back-to-back fights.

Nah-Shon Burrell: This is the one guy on the list that everyone appears to be making a big stink over, although the evidence against him seems pretty compelling. For starters, Burrell couldn’t make weight in both his Strikeforce and UFC debuts (the latter of which he missed by a metric fuckton, scientifically speaking). Secondly, he needed two attempts to make weight for his eventual decision loss to Stephen Thompson at UFC 160. Although his UFC record currently stands at an even 1-1, Anthony Johnson will tell you that being a fatty boom-boom in the UFC is a surefire way to get the boot, regardless of your merit as a fighter.

Eddie Mendez: 0-1 in the UFC, was quickly submitted by TUF Brazil finalist Daniel Sarafian in the opening bout of UFC on FUEL 10 earlier in the month. Moving on…

Anthony “Lionheart” Smith: After getting submitted by Roger Gracie at the final Strikeforce event, Smith was also submitted at UFC on FUEL 10 via a kneebar at the hands of Antonio Braga Neto in just under two minutes. Man, it looks like submission defense is just under shit-talking skills on the checklist of reasons to keep a fighter in the UFC these days.

Leandro Silva: *Also* 0-1 in the UFC, Silva was outworked by Ildemar Alcantara en route to a UD loss at, you guessed it, UFC on FUEL 10. Hey, at least he always has professional soccer to fall back on.

–J. Jones

And Now They’re Fired: Phil De Fries and a Slew of TUF 17 Alums Among the UFC’s Latest Batch of Roster Cuts


(1-0 over constrictive tanktops, 0-1 over actual competition. You will be missed, Gilbert. Photo courtesy of UFC.com) 

The UFC continues to steamroll ahead with its massive roster cuts, Potato Nation. And while we are never one to praise the departure of a Zuffa employee (unless it’s Paul Daley, of course), we should at least be able to take comfort in the fact that there are no Jon Fitch level mind-bogglers for us to mourn this time around. However, the UFC’s most recent list of firings does feature — somewhat unsurprisingly — every TUF 17 alum who came up short in the season’s finale earlier this month, as well as a couple other guys who have had less than successful UFC runs as of late.

Taking out the trash is never fun, so let’s just get this thing over with…


(1-0 over constrictive tanktops, 0-1 over actual competition. You will be missed, Gilbert. Photo courtesy of UFC.com) 

The UFC continues to steamroll ahead with its massive roster cuts, Potato Nation. And while we are never one to praise the departure of a Zuffa employee (unless it’s Paul Daley, of course), we should at least be able to take comfort in the fact that there are no Jon Fitch level mind-bogglers for us to mourn this time around. However, the UFC’s most recent list of firings does feature — somewhat unsurprisingly — every TUF 17 alum who came up short in the season’s finale earlier this month, as well as a couple other guys who have had less than successful UFC runs as of late.

Taking out the trash is never fun, so let’s just get this thing over with…

Philip De Fries: Otherwise known as the poor man’s Christian Morecraft, the submission specialist has seen his lights turned out in 3 of his past 4 fights — to Stipe Miocic, Todd Duffee, and most recently, Matt Mitrione. All three of those losses came in under 3 minutes. Despite his trio of vicious beatdowns, De Fries was able to score a pair of victories over Rob Broughton and Oli Thompson at UFC 138 and UFC on FOX 4, respectively.

Chris Spang: The Strikeforce veteran was only given one chance in the UFC and suffered a unanimous decision loss to fellow Strikeforce vet Adlan Amagov in a snoozer at UFC on FUEL 9 earlier in the month. Insert Leonard Garcia joke here.

Jimmy Quinlan, Gilbert Smith, Kevin Casey, Collin Hart, & Adam Cella: These TUF 17 alums suffered losses at the season finale to fellow castmates Dylan Andrews, Bubba McDaniel, Josh Samman, and Luke Barnatt, respectively. Cella, on the other hand, was choked out by Tor Troeng in the first round of their fight at UFC on FUEL 9. 

Commence the lighting of ceremonial candles and pouring out of a little liquor…

–J. Jones

And Now He’s Fired: Josh Neer a.k.a The Missing Diaz Brother Gets Axed by the UFC for the Third Time


(Seriously, all he’s missing is a lisp and an army of lawyers to enable his incoherent conspiracy theories and he’d fit right in with the 209 crew.)  

We’re not ashamed to admit that — despite his many shortcomings both inside the ring and out — Josh Neer will always be one of our favorite fighters. Embracing an “old school,” entertainment over strategy mentality that saw him score back-to-back Fight of the Night awards during his second run in the UFC, the Iowa native has been throwing caution to the wind since 2003 and holds nearly 50 fights to his credit (including notable victories over Mac Danzig, Melvin Guillard, Duane Ludwig, and Joe Stevenson) despite his relatively young age (30).

Unfortunately, it seems as if the third time was not the charm for Neer, as he was recently listed among the UFC’s latest batch of now unemployed fighters, according to MMAOpinion:

Josh Neer (33-13-1) has been released following 3 straight losses inside the Octagon. ‘The Dentist’ a veteran of the sport, was last in action at UFC 157 where he lost a decision to Court McGee. Prior to that Neer had been finished by both Justin Edwards and Mike Pyle. 

Also among the fallen…


(Seriously, all he’s missing is a lisp and an army of lawyers to enable his incoherent conspiracy theories and he’d fit right in with the 209 crew.)  

We’re not ashamed to admit that — despite his many shortcomings both inside the ring and out — Josh Neer will always be one of our favorite fighters. Embracing an “old school,” entertainment over strategy mentality that saw him score back-to-back Fight of the Night awards during his second run in the UFC, the Iowa native has been throwing caution to the wind since 2003 and holds nearly 50 fights to his credit (including notable victories over Mac Danzig, Melvin Guillard, Duane Ludwig, and Joe Stevenson) despite his relatively young age (30).

Unfortunately, it seems as if the third time was not the charm for Neer, as he was recently listed among the UFC’s latest batch of now unemployed fighters, according to MMAOpinion:

Josh Neer (33-13-1) has been released following 3 straight losses inside the Octagon. ‘The Dentist’ a veteran of the sport, was last in action at UFC 157 where he lost a decision to Court McGee. Prior to that Neer had been finished by both Justin Edwards and Mike Pyle. 

Also among the fallen…

Brock Jardine: 0-2 in the UFC, was last submitted via a crazy kneebar from the back mount/hiplock at the hands of Kenny Robertson at UFC 157. Prior to that, Jardine dropped a unanimous decision to Rick Story at UFC on FX 4.

Caros Fodor: 0-1, brought over in the Strikeforce acquisition and dropped a split decision to Sam Stout at UFC 157. Damn, that seems kinda hasty.

Jon Manley: Also 0-1, Manley was apparently part of the cast of the already forgotten TUF 16 and faced fellow contestant Neil Magny at UFC 157, where he wound up on the wrong end of a UD loss.

Farewell gentlemen, you may be lost but you will never be forgotten…unless you were on TUF 16. 

So, Potato Nation, how about that flying armbar?

–J. Jones