“He’s not under contract anymore. I think the PFL’s going to get a great undefeated guy. Good luck to him.” With those blunt words last year, Dana White officially severed ties with undefeated Dagestani prospect Muhammad Mokaev, removing him from the UFC roster. Many regard the UFC as the mecca of MMA, the ultimate proving ground where every fighter—whether a rising prospect, a veteran, or a legend—aims to cement their legacy.
However, simply being part of the promotion isn’t enough. Fighters must deliver thrilling performances and attract pay-per-view numbers to secure their place. Those who fail to do so are often shown the exit, making roster cuts a constant cycle as new talent steps in. In 2024, the UFC took an aggressive approach, cutting more fighters than it signed. High-profile names like Stipe Miocic, Jack Shore, and Gabriel Benitez were among those who departed. And 2025 is proving no different. The promotion has already released several notable fighters, including MMA legend Tony Ferguson and former middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
However, the most shocking cut came earlier this month when the UFC parted ways with heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik following UFC Saudi Arabia. Now, as February comes to a close and the MMA world looks ahead to UFC 313—headlined by Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev—the head honcho has once again made a statement by slashing six more names from the UFC roster. According to a recent update on X from an account named Tom Feely: “So, final list of fighters removed from the UFC.com roster: Julio Arce, Josh Culibao, Taylor Lapilus, Jonathan Pearce, Kleydson Rodrigues, Cody Stamann.”
So, final list of fighters removed from the https://t.co/YHr2ZDqw9f roster:
Julio Arce
Josh Culibao
Taylor Lapilus
Jonathan Pearce
Kleydson Rodrigues
Cody Stamann https://t.co/BIonSMzAFv
— Tom Feely (@omgitsfeely) February 27, 2025
Typically, officials remove retired fighters from the roster, but this recent wave of cuts includes fighters in their early to mid-30s, with 35-year-old Cody Stamann being the most experienced. Throughout his UFC career, Stamann competed across the featherweight and bantamweight divisions, racking up 15 fights. So, why is the UFC making so many cuts lately? The prevailing belief is that it’s due to inactivity, underperforming in the cage, or failing to capture fans’ attention. Fighters who don’t live up to expectations—whether in performance or entertainment value—often find themselves released.
That raises the question: Is there a path back for these fighters? Can they prove themselves and earn another shot in the UFC? Let’s hear what Muhammad Mokaev has to say.
Muhammad Mokaev challenges Dana White’s authority and hints at his future in the UFC
“It is what it is. He’s a guy who made all the wrong moves and pissed off the wrong people. I wasn’t involved in any of the issues with him.” With those words, Dana White solidified his position on not re-signing Muhammad Mokaev last year, emphasizing that he had no role in extending ‘The Punisher’s UFC contract. White placed the responsibility on the UFC’s top brass—Hunter Campbell, Sean Shelby, and Mick Maynard—stating, “They weren’t happy with him,” during a media press conference.
White further pointed to the Dagestani prospect himself as the one who hurt his own chances, referencing the altercation between Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape at the UFC PI Institute, as well as another incident at the UFC’s Manchester hotel. However, the 125fer offered a different take on the matter. In an interview with Vestnik MMA on YouTube, Mokaev explained, “I have a good relationship with Hunter—very normal and positive. Even after the tournament, he reached out to me. We’ll have a call and discuss things further; we’ll see how my career progresses.”
Moreover, Mokaev didn’t stop there. He aimed Dana White’s comments and shed light on his ongoing negotiations with the UFC. “I’m in talks with the UFC right now. Dana just doesn’t follow all the events. He mentioned this in an interview based on old information. Hunter Campbell and I are in touch, and good news is coming soon,” ‘The Punisher’said.
What’s your perspective on the UFC and Dana White’s ongoing decision to release fighters? Should the promotion offer more opportunities for fighters to prove themselves, similar to how they did with legends like Tony Ferguson, even during his 8-fight losing streak? Share your thoughts below.
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