UFC Parts Ways With Eight More Fighters

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues to make room on its massive roster of mixed martial arts (MMA) talent.

Just yesterday, UFC Roster Tracker revealed that Jake Hadley — who earned a contract with a submission win over Mitch Raposo on Contender Series back in 2021 — is no longer with the promotion. And now today (Weds., Oct. 23, 2024), Hadley confirm his release, but needed everyone to know that he wasn’t “cut.”

“I wasn’t cut my contract came to an end,” Hadley wrote. “Took 2 big risks in my last 2 fights being a company man and it bit me on the arse. Took block head on a weeks notice but missed the weight which was obviously held against me then took cam on 3 days notice after originally training for a wrestling based opponent I understand cam didn’t do a camp but everyone’s ready always for 3x5s cmon.

“I proven that vs block head took the fight on baby’s due date because fight was offered and didn’t wanna say no to the ufc and be a company man but ohh well,” Hadley concluded. “If I choose to work way back to the UFC, I know I can do that again no problem.”

I wasn't cut my contract came to an end took 2 big risks my last 2 fights being a company man and it bit me on the arse. Took block head on a weeks notice but missed the weight which was obviously held against me then took cam on 3 days notice after originally training for a....

— Jake 'White Kong' Hadley (@JakeHadleyMMA) October 23, 2024

Hadley lost a unanimous decision to UFC newcomer Cameron Smotherman at UFC Vegas 99 this past weekend as a -500 betting favorite.

And, for what it’s worth, “White Kong” — who earned a contract in season five of Contender Series as mentioned earlier — missed weight ahead of the bout, becoming the first fighter to miss weight and get signed off the show.

Not the best distinction.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Nevertheless, in addition to Hadley — who went 3-4 inside the Octagon — seven other fighters were also released:

Cory McKenna (8-4, 3-3 inside UFC)
Herbert Burns (11-6, 2-4 inside UFC)
Josh Fremd (11-6, 2-4 inside UFC)
Christos Giagos (20-12, 6-8 inside UFC)
Yanis Ghemmouri (12-2, 0-2 inside UFC)
Jarjis Danho (6-1-1, 1-1-1 inside UFC)
Blake Bilder (8-2-1, 1-2 inside UFC)

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