The UFC has a history of harsh choices, but even by Dana White‘s standards, this one was shocking. Caolan Loughran, an Irish bantamweight fresh off a hard-earned victory at UFC London, has been dropped by the promotion. The 28-year-old fighter, fondly known as ‘The Don,’ found himself on the outside looking in, despite doing just enough to win his last fight. In a sport where every punch is judged and every mistake is amplified, a victory rarely signals the end. But that is precisely the turn Loughran’s trip has taken.
Loughran entered the UFC on a wave of hype from Cage Warriors and comparisons to Conor McGregor, promising fireworks and swagger. His four-fight stint in the promotion was a rollercoaster, with two wins, two defeats, and a tough split decision victory against Nathan Fletcher in his most recent appearance. It was not an overpowering performance, but it showed heart. And still, Dana White severed connections. That move confused many fans and pundits, especially since Loughran’s two losses were against opponents who had also recently been released. The optics? Not great.
If anything, the decision reveals how unforgiving the UFC landscape is. Loughran, who is only 28 years old and has a marketable personality, was not given the customary redemption arc. Whether it was a matter of time, roster space, or behind-the-scenes business reasons, his removal sends a message to fighters everywhere: no one is safe, even if they have a win. For an organization that thrives on chaos, this one felt especially cold.
However, this may not be the last time we hear from ‘The Don.’ With experience, youth, and some name recognition, Loughran is ready for a successful return to the regional scene. A pair of big wins might reopen the UFC door, especially since European events do require domestic talent. For the time being, Dana White has slammed that door shut. So, how did the fans react to the surprise news?
Is Dana White in the right to cut Caolan Loughran from the roster?
It’s not often that a fighter is cut after a win, and the audience supports the promotion. However, the MMA community on Reddit did not mourn Caolan Loughran’s departure. While some fans were puzzled by the UFC’s decision, others were outraged, claiming that the win he managed over Nathan Fletcher was not a victory at all. Dana White, in their minds, did not overreact; rather, he fixed course. The backlash ‘The Don’ received following UFC London was more about how he won than what the scorecards said.
At UFC London, ‘The Don’ may have appeared strong in the first round, controlling the clinch and landing crisp strikes, but the tide quickly reversed. In round two, Nathan Fletcher dominated Loughran and came dangerously close to a victory. By round three, Fletcher had visibly depleted his gas tank, yet he still found ways to rally. Nonetheless, when the scorecards were read, Loughran’s name was announced as the winner—and boos rained down. The backlash has hardly faded since then. “Looks like the UFC agrees that the decision he won was absolutely atrocious,” one fan commented, expressing what many others felt. “Robbery, boring fighter, bad fighter, annoying personality, not fun to look at,” another user said.
The criticism wasn’t limited to that one fight. It has piled up over time. For some fans, it wasn’t just that Loughran was winning bouts they disagreed with; his wins were also unappealing to watch. “His fights have all been pretty bad,” one fan said. “Even this win was a bad way to finish out his contract—basically won a split via ground control in the final round.” Another fan got to the heart of the matter: “He’s a fighter you watch, and you go, ‘What is he good at?’” In a sport where entertainment value is as important as outcomes, this question is fatal.
But not everyone agreed with the cut. A few voices sprang up to defend Loughran, mostly surprised by the move. “He’s coming off a win, though? Kind of surprising,” one fan said. Others remembered his days before the UFC: “People forget, man, this guy was a marauder,” another user wrote. “I like Caolan. He was great in Cage Warriors. He went 2-2 in the UFC and won his last fight,” one fan commented. However, the overwhelming emotion online appeared to be one of relief rather than wishing him well. When spectators turn on a fighter, particularly after a victory, it’s usually already too late. But what do you think? Did the UFC make the right move? Let us know in the comments.
The post “Absolutely Atrocious”- Calls Mount Favoring Dana White’s Brutal Removal of Irish Fighter From UFC appeared first on EssentiallySports.
