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UFC Releases 4 Fighters From Their Contracts

Published 08/21/2021, 2:50 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

The UFC continued its trimming work as it has parted ways with four fighters recently after their recent losses. The promotion is trying to adjust its numbers with the influx of new signings and the ever-growing Dana White Contender Series.

These diverging with fighters cannot be fully termed as a ‘release’. The promotion may have decided against renewing their already ending contracts. The four fighters that have parted ways with the promotion are Ryan Benoit, Yancy Medeiros, Justin Jaynes, and Jerome Rivera. (via MMA Junkie)

UFC career record for Ryan Benoit

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Flyweight fighter Benoit joined the UFC in late 2013. In his 8 years with the promotion, he has competed in just 9 matches. He made a successful debut after beating Josh Sampo at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale.

Throughout his career, he has had close battles with the likes of current champion Brandon Moreno, Alateng Heili, and Tim Elliott, to name a few.

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Benoit was scheduled to face Zarrukh Adashev at UFC on ESPN 24. During the weigh-ins, he weighed in at 129 pounds, three pounds over the flyweight non-title fight limit. This bout was cancelled by the Nevada State Athletic Commission because of health concerns.

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The UFC rescheduled their fight at UFC on ESPN 28 on July 31, 2021. Benoit lost the fight via unanimous decision and thus UFC decided it has seen enough of him.

Yancy Medeiros’ career in the octagon

Former Strikeforce and UFC welterweight Medeiros joined UFC in 2013. He was a fan favorite and has fought many prominent fighters throughout his 15 fight octagon career. He has also headlined a UFC Fight Night event when he fought ‘Cowboy’ Donald Cerrone in February 2018.

Some of his prominent wins have been against John Makdessi, Alex Oliveira, and Damon Jackson. The main reason for his departure could be his performances in his last four fights. ‘The Kid’ lost all his last 4 matches with the last one coming against Damir Hadzovic in June this year.

Justin Jaynes’ UFC career

Former WXC lightweight champion, Jaynes started his octagon career by replacing Matt Frevola against Frank Camacho. He won that fight after agreeing to join on a 3 days’ notice. He also received Performance of the Night honors.

This was his only win in the promotion as the ‘Guitar Hero’ lost his next four fights. He last fought against Charles Rosa at UFC Fight Night 190 and lost via split decision.

A dismal time for Jerome Rivera in the octagon

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Prior to joining the promotion, Rivera carried a 10-2 win-loss record in MMA. But he soon realized why UFC is the toughest MMA promotion in the world. The American competed in three different weight classes only to come empty-handed after each fight.

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In the four fights that he competed in the promotion, he lost each one of them. The fighters to defeat the American include Tyson Nam, former flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo‘s brother, Francisco Figueiredo, Ode Osbourne, and Zhalgas Zhumagulov.

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Written by:

Akshyay Srichandan Mahapatra

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Akshyay Mahapatra is a UFC author for EssentiallySports. He wished to combine his passion for the UFC (that he has been following since 2008) as well as his love for writing. This motivated him to enter the world of combat sports journalism.
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