As fans prepare for UFC 312, the promotion’s first pay-per-view event of 2025 in Australia, many still focus on last week’s UFC Saudi Arabia card. While the event itself lacked standout moments, the biggest controversy came from Dana White and the UFC’s decision to cut two heavyweights—Jamal Pogues and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. However, it was ‘Bigi Boy’s’ release that sparked the most backlash. A seasoned UFC veteran with a 9-6 record, the Surinamese powerhouse entered the fight on a two-fight win streak before suffering a setback against Sergei Pavlovich.
Despite the loss, his release shocked many, especially after White dismissed ‘Bigi Boy’s’ performance as a “horrible fight.” Fans quickly criticized White and the UFC, questioning the fairness of the decision. Adding to the controversy, former fighter and verbose analyst Chael Sonnen recently shared his insight on YouTube, suggesting that the UFC may have disregarded its usual protocol. According to Sonnen, the organization typically waits 30 days before cutting a fighter, allowing time for drug test results to be processed.
Reflecting on his past experiences with the promotion, ‘The American Gangster’ explained, “I’m going back to 2014. I don’t know if that’s been true for the last decade. But generally, guys don’t get cut until 30 days after the fight because they would wait for the drug test to come back—just in case you lost and got cut. If the opponent failed the d-ug test, the fight would be overturned to a no contest. .”
He continued, “So, all of a sudden, you were only cut because you lost, but now you didn’t lose—it was officially a no-contest. You see where I’m going? So generally, they would wait.” Clearly, Sonnen’s point holds weight, as history has shown similar situations in the past. For instance, a prime example is the UFC 214 main event between light heavyweights Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones. At first, ‘Bones’ appeared to reclaim the 205lbs strap with a spectacular third-round knockout over Cormier, courtesy of a devastating head kick.
However, just a few months later, the California State Athletic Commission overturned the result to a no-contest after Jones tested positive for a banned substance. Consequently, the UFC stripped ‘Bones’ of the light heavyweight title for the third time, and reinstated Daniel Cormier as champion. While we cannot change the past, Jairzinho Rozenstruik’s Octagon career has ended. Nevertheless, he harbors no resentment toward the UFC or Dana White.
Rozenstruik comes clean on Dana White and Co.
After dominating the kickboxing scene with an impressive record of 76 wins in 85 bouts, Jairzinho Rozenstruik made a seamless transition to MMA. He fully committed to the sport in 2017, honing his skills in Russian and Japanese promotions before earning a UFC contract in 2019. The Surinamese powerhouse made an explosive debut, securing a knockout victory and extending his streak to four consecutive wins—all by knockout. His early success had many believing he was destined to become the next big star in the heavyweight division.
However, his UFC career was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Now at 36 years old, the Surinamese powerhouse found himself under harsh scrutiny from Dana White before ultimately being released from the promotion. Despite the setback, he has no ill feelings toward the UFC. Following his loss to Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Saudi Arabia, Rozenstruik took to X to reflect on his journey, “I came to Riyadh to win and pull off the upset. After a strong fight week, I felt dizzy on Saturday due to the paint fumes. Then, just 70 seconds into the fight, I injured my left foot. The moment my switch kick landed on his elbow, I felt it instantly and knew the fight would play out differently than planned,” he explained.
“I signed my first contract with the @UFC, embarking on an incredible journey. Competing on the biggest stage has been an honor, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to the UFC staff for their professionalism and support over the years.” ‘Bigi Boy’ added. What do you think about Chael Sonnen’s claims? Did the UFC and Dana White make a hasty decision by cutting Jairzinho Rozenstruik from the promotion? Share your thoughts below!
The post UFC Insider Claims Dana White & Co. Broke Protocol To Release Jairzinho Rozenstruik After UFC Saudi Arabia Loss – “Guys Don’t Get Cut Until…” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
