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[Sakara=Excitement]

Lightweight Chris Horodecki cut from Zuffa roster | MMAjunkie.com

Chris Horodecki (16-3 MMA, 2-2 WEC) is the latest fighter to be released from Zuffa's lightweight roster.

The 23-year-old London, Ontario, Canada, native was submitted by Donald Cerrone at WEC 53 in the promotion's final event before ceding its talent to the UFC.

"One door closes and another one opens," Horodecki today told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com). "I'll be back sooner than later."

The baby-faced striker went 2-2 in his stint with the WEC with wins over Danny Downes and Ed Ratcliff and losses to Cerrone and Anthony Njokuani.

The loss to Njokuani was particularly devastating. Six months after returning to the cage, Horodecki wound up on the wrong side of a highlight reel when Nojuanki knocked him out with a head kick in the first round of his promotion debut at WEC 45. Horodecki had spent a year-plus on the bench in the wake of the International Fight League's late 2008 collapse.

Fans often chided Horodecki as an undersized fighter in the 155-pound division, though he did not say whether he would continue to fight as a lightweight or drop a weight class to the 145-pound featherweight division.

Horodecki first turned heads at the tender age of 19 in the IFL. His technical striking won him his first seven outings in the team-based promotion and brought his professional record to 12-0. The streak was halted abruptly in his eighth appearance when veteran Ryan Schultz pounded him out in December 2007.

"Get back in it," an optimistic Horodecki said when asked of his next move. "We'll get a couple fights and do what we do."

[MMAV]

I'm not suprised. Theyre going to be cutting quite a few of mid-level WEC LW. It sucks but I knew they were going to do it.

[beau420]

Sucks. Very exciting fighter....never has boring fights.

Sure he is an undersized 155er....doesn't have the best ground game....but against Cerrone who is a freak I wasn't surprised he was submitted.

I am upset if Ed Ratcliff is still under contract by Zuffa, because he lost to Cerrone and Horodecki back to back.

Horodecki is a great quick non stop standup fighter. I am sure he won't have a problem finding work elsewhere. In my opinion he would be a great pickup for Bellator, Strikeforce or in Japan. I am sure he will probably fight somewhere here in Canada....maybe MFC, but if he wants more money, I am sure he can fight elsewhere.

I find it kinda strange he got cut....I thought he had a great draw and they featured Horodecki several times in WEC interviews and the announcers always sung his praises. From main card straight to cut? Didn't get demoted back to the prelims first....1 fight losing streak to a guy who has fought 3 times for the championship?

I guess Zuffa does have way to many 155ers...but there were far less entertaining guys at 155 that I feel they could have gotten rid of. Let all the 155ers be afraid....it can only take one lose to a recent title contender on the main card before you get cut.

[IceCold48]

he'll be back i don't think he was ready kinda surprised a little bc since dana say hes putting on more shows and will always bring back exciting guys but i guess he lied.

i would be pissed if they cut varner he deserves to stay after all hes done.

i also feel like the WEC talent at lightweight is better then everyone including zuffa thinks. if guys like hordecki and varner get cut after losing to cerrone(and roller in varner's case) i think they are severly underestimated the talent of cerrone who will be a force in the UFC imo.

[iced]

shitty cut. i know they will be giving a lot of guys the axe now (especially at lw), but i do not think chris should have been one of them. it was dumb that his corner told him to take cerrone down, because i thought that horodecki was winning on his feet.

tough break, but the kid has mad skill and we will see him kick ass else where.

(i was also thinking during the fight that he was a little flabby at lw. perhaps fw would be better for him)

[CHAEL fan]

Shouldn't have taken Cerrone down, he was doing fine standing up.

[HillbillyDeluxe]

Originally Posted by IceCold48

i would be pissed if they cut varner he deserves to stay after all hes done.

lol I bet your shitty...They just gave him his walking papers

[rivethead]

I've never been a big fan of Horodecki, but I'm a little surprised. I wonder if they offered him the opportunity to drop to Featherweight and he said no.

I'm more surprised by Varner.

I'm betting both guys find a home with Bellator.

rh

[HillbillyDeluxe]

Originally Posted by rivethead

I'm more surprised by Varner.

I'm betting both guys find a home with Bellator.

rh

I thought Varner would fit in very nicely with the UFC and was shocked as well, but you are dead on that they will find a home in Bellator if they want it.

Jamie Varner vs Eddie Alvarez anyone?

[rivethead]

Originally Posted by HillbillyDeluxe

I thought Varner would fit in very nicely in hte UFC and was shocked as well, but you are dead on that they will find a home in Bellator if they want it.
Jamie Varner vs Eddie Alvarez anyone?

Nice fight, but bad night for Varner.

rh