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Title: Massive UFC Roster Shake-Up Impacts 35 Fighters In 35 Days
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has witnessed a significant shake-up in its roster over the past month, with an astonishing number of fighters either making their main roster debut or facing significant changes to their status. This unprecedented surge is a direct result of Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS), where the promotion discovered new talent and redefined the paths for many fighters.
Among those affected are 35 individuals who have been impacted by this sudden upheaval in the world of mixed martial arts. The sheer scale of these changes has left fans stunned, with questions swirling about the long-term implications for each fighter.
One notable figure is Seun Musasa, a promising prospect who earned his chance to compete at the main event level after a controversial split-decision victory on DWCS in September 2024. Unfortunately, his debut did not go as planned when he was submitted by Carlos Vera in under one minute. This sudden downturn has put his future with the organization in jeopardy.
Another fighter facing uncertainty is Diyar Nurgozhay of Kazakhstan, who had an equally disappointing main roster premiere on March 15. After missing weight by a whopping 4.5 pounds for his initial outing, he fell to Brendson Ribeiro via kimura submission. The odds are against him staying with the UFC.
However, not all stories are ones of despair and disappointment. A standout performance from Kevin Vallejos has thrust him into the spotlight as one of the most promising up-and-coming stars in the organization. He made a huge first-round KO win over Seung Woo Choi on his debut night, leaving fans eager to see what he can accomplish moving forward.
Andrey Pulyaev, another DWCS alum, faced severe backlash from critics following his unimpressive performance in London against Christian Leroy Duncan. A 9-3 record now hangs precariously in the balance as fans question whether he has the necessary skills and tenacity to thrive at this level.
Alexia Thainara, who started with a decisive win on DWCS and then won again over Molly McCann in an unexpected retirement announcement, will likely have her name removed from the roster soon.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2025/03/25/massive-ufc-roster-shake-up-impacts-35-fighters-in-35-days/
