The UFC has trimmed their roster by 13 over the past couple of weeks.
With the Contender Series coming up this summer, and several fighters going to be signed, the promotion is clearing spots. Zane Simon of BloodyElbow took to Twitter to report 13 fighters have been released including fan favorite, Ben Saunders and TUF winner Brad Katona.
Several fighters like Brandon Davis have confirmed this report. Other media members have confirmed with the fighters that they have been released.
The most notable name is Ben Saunders. He had two stints in the UFC where he went 4-3 and was released. He then signed in Bellator where he had a ton of success going 7-3. Saunders was then brought back to the UFC and went 6-7 with three POTN of FOTN bonuses. He is on a four-fight losing streak and was knocked out by Matt Brown at UFC 245 last time out.
Brad Katona, meanwhile, won TUF 27 at featherweight where he beat Bryce Mitchell in the tournament. Since then, he went 2-2 in the UFC including losing his last two. Yet, it was surprising he was released given there aren’t many Canadians on the UFC roster and he is still young at 28.
Both Saunders and Katona seem likely fits for Bellator. Saunders fought in Bellator and Katona is an SBG Ireland product so he can be put on the Dublin shows.
It should be no surprise to see the UFC continue to trim down the roster. The expectation is they will continue to do it as Contender Series gets closer.
