UFC Fighters Released: Dana White Let’s Go of Despaigne, Nicolau, Penne and More

The roster shuffle continues in the UFC. Following a busy summer that saw veterans depart the promotion, another wave of releases hit the headlines this week. Names like Robelis Despaigne, Matheus Nicolau, and Jessica Penne were among those shown the door, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering about the rationale behind the cuts.

Oh, they’re making room for real. pic.twitter.com/5qgNlVWV2k

— Al Zullino (@phre) October 29, 2024

Despaigne, “El Destructor,” had a rollercoaster run in the UFC. The Cuban bantamweight started strong, winning his first fight via stoppage in just mere. However, a string of losses due to his inability to grapple derailed his momentum. His last appearance inside the octagon was a unanimous decision defeat to Austen Lane.

Matheus Nicolau, a flyweight prospect with a dangerous striking game, also found himself on the chopping block. After starting his second stint in the UFC winning four in a row against fighters like Manel Kape, Tim Elliott, and Matt Schnell, Nicolau went 0-3 in his next three bouts with two of those three losses coming by knockout. However, his most recent outing, a decision loss to Asu Almabayev, seems to have sealed his fate.

The release of Jessica Penne seemed about right at this stage of her career. Penne is on the wrong side of 41 years old, hasn’t won a fight since 2021, and is coming off three consecutive defeats most recently dropping a unanimous decision to Elise Reed.

Other fighters released this week include Vinicius Salvador, Charalampos Grigoriou, Tamires Vidal, and Daniel Pineda after announcing his retirement. All faced mixed results in the octagon, with some like Nicolau showcasing exciting potential despite inconsistent performances.

The constant roster churn in the UFC is a double-edged sword. It allows the promotion to stay fresh and bring in exciting new talent, but it can also feel ruthless. Fighters who dedicate their lives to the sport can find themselves out of a job with seemingly little notice.

This most recent set of releases raises questions about the UFC’s fighter selection process and the criteria used to determine who stays and who goes. While some of the cuts seem justified, others leave fans wanting more transparency from the world’s leading MMA organization.

The future for these released fighters remains uncertain. Some might find success in other promotions, while others may choose to hang up their gloves. Regardless of their next move, they’ll undoubtedly be looking to prove the UFC wrong.

One thing is for sure: the landscape of the UFC continues to evolve. Whether these releases represent a strategic shift or simply a cost-cutting measure will be revealed in the coming months. However, one thing is certain: the fight game never sleeps, and the competition for a coveted spot on the UFC roster remains fierce.