The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has been busy thinning the heard this week.
MMAMania has reported that the organization announced that it has released five mixed martial artists from its roster. The chopping block is highlighted by the departure of welterweight Charlie Brenneman and Japanese featherweight Michihiro Omigawa, both of which have figured prominently on the UFC’s main cards in recent years. Unfortunately, their recent losing skids have forced the decisionmakers over at head office to part ways with the fighters.
The UFC also gave Eiji Mitsuko, Tommy Hayden, and Walel Watson their walking papers. All three have fallen on rough times recently and likely saw the move coming.
The organization has not embarked on a roster slimming in quite some time and this move may be a sign of things to come. UFC President Dana White has always emphasized the fact that fighters on his roster need to prove they belong on the big stage. If fighters cannot find success early and often, they typically do not last very long unless they are exceptionally marketable (see Dan Hardy).
The warning is out: perform or hit the road.