‘He’s No Longer a UFC Fighter’ – Dana White Gives Bizarre Explanation Behind Cutting Ottman Azaitar

Breaching the safety protocols has cost Ottman Azaitar his place on the UFC roster. Dana White revealed that the promotion severed its ties with the undefeated fighter after he helped others enter the UFC’s designated safety zone. Azaitar had a fight for tomorrow at UFC 257.

Azaitar planned to extend his win streak to 14-0 this weekend by a win over Matt Frevola. However, at the time of the weigh-ins, news broke out that the lightweight will not fight this weekend. The UFC later announced that his absence at the event will be due to a violation of the promotion’s health and safety violation.

For his opponent, fortunately enough, he will still retain his spot on this massive PPV event. Frevola will now step up against Arman Tsarukyan in a catchweight fight. Tsarukyan, in turn, had lost his original opponent, Nasrat Haqparast, due to an illness.

Dana White clears the air around the cutting of Ottman Azaitar

While talking to BT Sport, the UFC supremo detailed the story behind the UFC letting go of an upcoming prospect full of potential.

“He and his team cut off their wrist bands, gave them to somebody outside the bubble, I don’t know how they even did it,” White said. “That guy taped them, showed up here with a bag, went into a room, shimmied across four balconies, went in his room dropped the bag off, changed his clothes, and then left.”

“Now when security tried to stop him, he wouldn’t stop, either way and yeah, it’s just… he’s gone. He’s no longer a UFC fighter, and he’s not fighting tonight.”

Azaitar has only had two fights in the UFC so far. The first one came at UFC 242 when he knocked out Teemu Packalen in the very first round. About a year later, ‘Bulldozer’ grabbed his second Octagon win after his triumph over Khama Worthy. It’s unfortunate that the 30-year-old will have to find a new promotional home.

The strict action taken by the UFC seems justified when you consider what’s at stake. If someone inside the secured premises tested positive, it would lead to the entire event being in jeopardy.

Read More: UFC 257: Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor- Prediction and Analysis