UFC Cuts Former Title Challenger + Two Others

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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is making more room on its roster ...

UFC Roster Watch revealed today (Mon., Oct. 7, 2024) that three fighters have been released from their respective contracts and/or the promotion decided not to extend them. Indeed, whether for numerous losses or they satisfied their contractual obligations, the world’s leading mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion chose not to re-sign them.

And this latest purge is rather significant.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

The biggest name on the list is Ovince Saint Preux, who just got submitted in the first round at UFC 307 this past weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Saint Preux (27-18) ends his UFC run with a 15-13 record and is tied for third with most “Performance of the Night” bonuses in UFC history (seven). He challenged for UFC’s interim Light Heavyweight strap against Jon Jones at UFC 197 back in 2016, dropping a unanimous decision.

“OSP” has the most Von Flue choke submissions in UFC history (four), with his biggest Octagon moment coming against Pride FC legend, Mauricio Rua, knocking out “Shogun” in just 34 seconds behind enemy lines in Brazil.

Photo by Al Powers/Zuffa LLC

Karl Williams (10-2) also got released, which makes no sense. The Heavyweight fighter won a contract on season six of Contender Series as a hefty underdog and then went on to go 3-1 inside the Octagon (all via unanimous decision).

He lost his only UFC fight in his last outing.

Williams was not an exciting fighter, but he probably should have received a new contract in a shallow Heavyweight division.

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Last, and certainly not least, was Brazil’s Kleydson Rodrigues (8-4). Rodrigues received a contract from season five of Contender Series after he defeated Santo Curatolo. “KR” ended up going 1-3 inside the promotion, with his only win coming against Shannon Ross via knockout.

He missed weight twice, and one of those weight misses caused a fight cancelation.

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