Farid Basharat says he never turned down a fight before the UFC let him go.
The undefeated bantamweight confirmed on Instagram that he is no longer with the promotion. Basharat is 16-0 overall and went 7-0 in the UFC, most recently beating John Garza by unanimous decision at UFC 329 in July.
The news is confirmed, I am no longer with the UFC. I’ve had an incredibly successful time in the organization. I’m proud and happy with what I’ve accomplished inside the Octagon. I leave with a stainless record.
Holding the longest active win streak in my weight division and the fourth longest in the entire UFC. I feel I’m the best bantamweight in the world.
Basharat said the decision had nothing to do with his performance.
Unfortunately the organization just isn’t what it used to be. They’re heading in a different direction from what we all grew up loving. I want to clarify that since my last fight I was never offered a contract or an opponent. I waited but it never came. I’ve certainly never declined a fight during my whole tenure.
The 29-year-old said after the Garza fight that he had been trying to get a new deal, without success.
His brother, Javid Basharat, was also not re-signed after fighting out his contract with a win in February. Javid has since signed with the PFL.
Basharat is not the only winning fighter the UFC has recently let go. Michael “Venom” Page was not re-signed after beating Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris in September and has since signed with Misfits Boxing.
