UFC Cuts Three Fighters Following Recent Octagon Defeats

UFC Trims Roster: Choi, Belbita, and Nunes Released Following Recent Losses

The UFC’s roster cleaning continues as three more fighters have been shown the door. In what’s becoming a familiar pattern in the promotion’s talent management strategy, Seung Woo Choi, Diana Belbita, and Istela Nunes have all been cut following their recent octagon setbacks.

I’ve been covering UFC cuts for years, and while they’re always tough to see, they’re an inevitable part of the fight game’s business side. Let’s break down what happened with each fighter and what might be next for them.

Seung Woo Choi: From Promising Prospect to Release

South Korea’s Seung Woo Choi entered the UFC with high expectations in 2019. The featherweight showed flashes of brilliance during his UFC tenure, putting together an impressive three-fight win streak at one point that had many fans (myself included) thinking he might climb into the division’s rankings.

Unfortunately for Choi, his UFC journey ended on a three-fight skid, with his most recent loss coming against Mike Trizano at UFC Fight Night 222. That defeat ultimately sealed his fate with the promotion after compiling a 4-5 record in the octagon.

At 31, Choi still has fighting years ahead and could easily land in organizations like ONE Championship or PFL, where Asian fighters often receive strong promotional backing.

Diana Belbita’s UFC Run Comes to an End

Romanian fighter Diana “The Warrior Princess” Belbita’s UFC tenure reached its conclusion after she dropped a unanimous decision to Molly McCann back in July. That loss brought her overall UFC record to a disappointing 2-5.

While Belbita showed heart in her UFC appearances, the promotion’s women’s divisions continue to evolve with increasingly technical fighters making their way to the big stage. At just 27 years old, Belbita has plenty of time to refine her skills and potentially make a return to the UFC down the road.

You’ve got to respect fighters who put it all on the line, even when results don’t go their way. Belbita was always game, which should help her find opportunities elsewhere in the sport.

Istela Nunes: Brief and Difficult UFC Chapter

Brazilian striker Istela Nunes had perhaps the toughest run among the three cut fighters. Her UFC stint ends with an 0-3 record, most recently falling to Melissa Martinez via unanimous decision in April.

What makes this particularly tough is that Nunes came to the UFC with significant hype as a former ONE Championship title challenger with an impressive striking pedigree. However, she struggled to translate those skills to UFC success.

The women’s strawweight division is arguably the deepest female weight class in the promotion, making it especially difficult for fighters to establish themselves without immediate results.

The Reality of UFC Roster Management

These cuts shouldn’t surprise anyone who follows the sport closely. The UFC typically maintains a roster of around 600 fighters, meaning there’s constant turnover as new talent arrives and underperforming athletes are released.

With Dana White’s Contender Series bringing in fresh faces every season and international expansion continuing to uncover new talent pools, the competition for roster spots has never been fiercer. A rule of thumb in the modern UFC: losing three straight fights typically means you’re on the chopping block, regardless of your previous accomplishments.

This reality creates both pressure and opportunity. For fighters on the roster, there’s immense pressure to perform. For those on the regional scene, there’s the constant opportunity to step in when spots open up.

What’s Next for These Fighters?

Being cut from the UFC isn’t necessarily career-ending. We’ve seen numerous fighters rebuild their careers in organizations like Bellator, PFL, ONE Championship, and even regional promotions before making triumphant returns to the octagon.

Remember when Anthony Johnson was cut, reinvented himself, and came back to become a multiple-time title challenger? Or how about Brandon Moreno’s journey from being released to becoming UFC flyweight champion?

For Choi, Belbita, and Nunes, the path forward will depend on how they respond to this setback. The fight game can be brutal, but it also rewards persistence and evolution.

What Do You Think About These UFC Cuts?

Were you surprised by any of these releases? Do you think any of these fighters deserved more time to prove themselves in the UFC? Have you been following any of their careers closely?

Share your thoughts in the comments below or hit me up on social media. I’m always down to discuss the ever-changing landscape of MMA rosters and what these moves might mean for both the fighters and the promotion going forward.

As always, I’ll be keeping tabs on where these fighters land next and will update you with any significant developments in their careers.

Source: UFC Roster Updates