A trio of former UFC champions is among the famous fighters that are more likely to be cut by the UFC in 2021.
In December of 2020, the mixed martial arts community was stunned by the sudden release of former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero. The 43-year outdated Romero had lost three straight and 4 of his final 5 fights. Still, Romero was seen as a fan favorite, and the release got here as a surprise to many.
Based on UFC president Dana White, Romero was just the first of up to 60 fighters to be cut from the UFC‘s inflated roster. Soon after, another notable name was cut within the form of The Final Fighter veteran and women’s flyweight fighter Rachael Ostovich. Ostovich had a fairly tough run within the UFC, going simply 1-3 in 4 octagon appearances. December also noticed the likes of Cole Smith, Gadzhimurad Antigulov, Luiz Eduardo Garagorri, Mark De La Rosa, and Saparbek Safarov get cut from the UFC.
As the UFC enters a new yr, it is likely that even more fighters – together with very popular ones –
Former champions that could get cut from the UFC in 2021
Yoel Romero getting cut from the UFC was laborious proof that popularity does not equal job safety. Whereas Romero was certainly one of the extra popular middleweights on the roster, he was on a three-fight losing skid.
With the UFC looking to reduce down on an inflated roster, here are three former champions that may very well be on their manner out in 2021:
Tyron Woodley
Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley was at one level being talked about as the most effective welterweight champion in UFC history. Woodley defeated Robbie Lawler for the title in 2016 and retained it 4 times, against the likes of Stephen Thompson (twice), Demian Maia, and Darren Till.
After dropping the title to Kamaru Usman however, Woodley has but to bounce again. After shedding to Usman, Woodley misplaced twice extra, to Gilbert Burns and Colby Covington. If Woodley tastes defeat as soon as extra in 2021, he’ll likely be handed his strolling papers.
Robbie Lawler
From one former welterweight champion to another, Robbie Lawler may be on the UFC’s chopping block.
Lawler’s second run within the UFC saw him get pleasure from a career resurgence of kinds. Lawler would ultimately seize the UFC welterweight championship in 2014, and successfully defend it against Rory MacDonald and Carlos Condit.
He would drop the title to Tyron Woodley in 2016. Since then, Lawler has gained simply once and lost his final 4 bouts. If Lawler loses his fifth straight battle in 2021, he likely bids goodbye to the UFC.
Junior Dos Santos
Once upon a time, Junior Dos Santos was the most feared of heavyweights. JDS had insane knockout energy, and that led to a shocking KO win over Cain Velasquez to become the UFC heavyweight champion in 2011.
Dos Santos would defend the title simply once before losing it back to Velasquez the next yr. He would face Velasquez in a trilogy bout, and lose once more, this time by TKO.
Dos Santos would proceed to be a contender within the succeeding years, beating the likes of Stipe Miocic, Ben Rothwell, and Derrick Lewis. In his final 4 bouts nevertheless, JDS has gone 0-4, with all these losses coming by way of TKO. Yet one more defeat may likely spell the end of Dos Santos’ run with the UFC.
