UFC Eliminates Six Combatants from Its Roster in Concluding 2024 Purge
The UFC might've wrapped up its last roster reduction for 2024. Since December 4, the organization has been parting ways with fighters for various reasons.
Lately, the UFC let go of Jared Gooden and Abu Azaitar.
In December's closing weeks, the UFC also removed Gabriel Benitez, Jack Shore, Stipe Miocic, and Damon Jackson from its roster.
Shore, Miocic, and Jackson parted ways due to retirement. Benitez, 36, lost two fights consecutively and three out of his last four. He also missed weight twice in his UFC career, both instances happening within the last four years. Benitez's chances of making an impact in the UFC were slim, so it was sensible for the promotion to move on from him.
Benitez hasn't stepped into the octagon since he lost a split decision to Maheshate Hayisaer in April.
Miocic and Jackson's last fights were at UFC 309. They both faced defeat at the hands of UFC legends. Jim Miller submitted Jackson in the first round, marking a turnaround after he was battered by Bobby Green at UFC 300 in April.
Jackson's career ended with losses in four of his last five fights. Miller has been like an executioner for aging fighters in his weight division. Prior to Benitez's loss to Hayisaer, he was also submitted by Miller.
Miocic was decimated by Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 309. Unsurprisingly, he announced his retirement post-fight.
Shore's retirement came as a shock. He's only 29, and despite ending up on a two-fight losing streak, his professional record was still impressive at 17-3. As recently as 2022, Shore was among the top promising featherweights in the promotion.
Shore cited a waning enthusiasm and motivation for competing as his reasons for retirement. He intends to dedicate all his energy to coaching.
Gooden and Azaitar's circumstances differed from Miocic, Shore, and Jackson. They haven't announced their retirements yet. Gooden, 31, lost his last fight against Chidi Njokuani and missed weight by 1.5 pounds.
Gooden has missed weight on three occasions with the UFC, including twice within the past two years.
Azaitar's inactivity, losses, and age likely played a role in his removal from the UFC roster. After making his way to the UFC in 2018, Azaitar secured a unanimous decision victory over Vitor Miranda in his promotional debut.
The German-born Moroccan was inactive from July 2018 until 2020, with fights scheduled against Alessio Di Chirico and Joaquin Buckley. However, Azaitar withdrew from both fights.
Azaitar also tested positive for tamoxifen and/or tamoxifen metabolite 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-tamoxifen in urine samples collected on August 25, 2020, September 4, 2020, September 9, 2020, and September 17, 2020. The positive tests resulted in a seven-month suspension, allowing him to fight in March 2021, where he was defeated by Marc-Andre Barriault via third-round TKO.
Azaitar didn't fight again until October 2023, losing a unanimous decision to Sedriques Dumas. Azaitar was scheduled to return in June against Denis Tiuliulin, but he pulled out of the fight.
At 38, Azaitar might be nearing the end of his MMA career.
The UFC has been consistently making room for new talent on its roster, and throughout the upcoming year, we can expect to see fighters fighting for their spot on the roster, especially if they're at the end of their contracts.
Abu Azaitar's recent UFC absence can be attributed to his suspension due to positive tamoxifen tests in 2020.
UFC 310 saw Abu Azaitar face Denis Tiuliulin, but he was unable to compete, leading to the cancellation of their matchup.
Dana White, UFC president, has been focused on bringing fresh talent to the UFC roster, with ongoing changes in the lineup expected in 2024.
Abu Azaitar's future in UFC 311 is uncertain, as he has not yet announced any plans to compete in the event.
