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UFC Releases Veteran After Back-to-Back First-Round Losses – Who’s Next?
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has released a veteran fighter after he suffered back-to-back first-round losses, leaving the door open for other fighters who may be at risk of being cut by the promotion.
In a shocking move, the UFC announced that it would be releasing Jorge Vergara, a 33-year-old welterweight with a 12-7-1 professional record. Vergara’s issues didn’t end there – he missed weight not once but three times throughout his UFC tenure, resulting in losses each time.
This decision raises questions about which other fighters are at risk of being released by the promotion. The answer may lie in Saturday’s event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where four fighters face must-win situations.
One such fighter is Rhys McKee, a welterweight with a 12-6 record. Since rejoining the UFC, he has lost back-to-back decisions to Ange Loosa and Chidi Njokuani. If his current losing streak reaches five, it may be curtains for him in the Octagon.
Another contender in this situation is Istela Nunes, a Brazilian female fighter who’s on an unforgiving four-fight losing streak that covers her entire UFC career. She last fought in July and faces Loma Lookboonmee, making it crucial she gets back into the win column to save her job.
Ode Osbourne is another welterweight under significant pressure. He’s on a three-fight losing skid, with two of those losses coming by way of stoppage. After the bout against Luis Gurule, Osbourne must change his trajectory; otherwise, he might not get another chance in the UFC.
All four fighters have to deliver Saturday night if they want to continue their careers under the UFC umbrella. It’s a high-stakes event for them, with the stakes only growing higher as each loss compounds their problems.
It’s worth noting that the UFC often takes a patient approach when dealing with struggling fighters, giving them an opportunity to right themselves before cutting ties. However, this can also be seen as a chance for other fighters to seize and prove themselves.
The promotion may have already made the decision to release Vergara due to his consistent weight-cutting issues and consecutive losses. If any of these four fighters fail to win on Saturday, they might not get another opportunity in the UFC.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianmazique/2025/04/03/ufc-releases-veteran-after-back-to-back-first-round-losseswhos-next/
