‘He’s No Longer a UFC Fighter’ – Dana White Gives Bizarre Explanation Behind Cutting Ottman Azaitar
Follow Us
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
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.”
Trending
Michael Chandler Handed Sad Update on Conor McGregor Fight at UFC 303 – “He’s Not Going to Get Pay-Per-View Points”
April 24, 2024 07:47 PM EDT
Violently Threatening Conor McGregor Takes a Bad Turn for 50 Cent as UFC World Condemns Rapper After Beef Resurfaces
April 23, 2024 01:53 PM EDT
“He Cannot Push Me” – Islam Makhachev Exposed 6-Time Wrestling Champ Jordan Burroughs in Front of Daniel Cormier Last Year
April 22, 2024 09:38 AM EDT
“Bubble Gut From High HGH Abuse” – Joe Rogan’s Dire Health Concern Flares Up as Fans Worry About UFC Commentator
April 16, 2024 05:03 AM EDT
“A MF Grabs Me” – Shaquille O’Neal Almost Came to Blows With UFC Star During Camp in Hawaii, NBA Legend Reveals Untold Stor
April 25, 2024 08:24 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest UFC stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
“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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
"It's bad, he's gone, he's no longer a UFC fighter."
Dana White explains why Ottman Azaitar has been cut from the UFC following a health and safety breach at #UFC257. pic.twitter.com/UO3aJbLUWO
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) January 22, 2021
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
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.
UFC 257: Dustin Poirier vs Conor McGregor- Prediction and Analysis