According to a Feb. 20 report from MMA Junkie, the UFC has released over a dozen fighters, including perennial welterweight contender Jon Fitch.
Fitch has been released, along with veteran MMA warrior Vladimir Matyushenko.
Along with Fitch and Matyushenko, the list of cuts includes Terry Etim, Ulysses Gomez, Josh Grispi, Che Mills, Jorge Santiago, Paul Sass and Motonobu Tezuka.
Etim, Gomez, Grispi, Mills, Santiago, Sass and Tezuka are each coming off losses at the UFC on FUEL TV 7 event in London.
According to MMA Junkie's report, the UFC plans to release as many as 100 fighters in 2013 due to the opening of the women's division.
Another reason for the cuts can be explained by the UFC taking on the contracts of fighters from Strikeforce following the closing of that promotion.
"In 7+ years w/UFC, Fitch went 14-3-1, but UFC is hunting cost cuts everywhere. His $66K base & 1-2-1 record in last 4 likely sealed his fate," MMA Fighting writer Mike Chiappetta posted on Twitter.
"Sorry to everyone. Was flat tonight and did not give you all the fight you deserved. I will be back stronger," Fitch posted after his recent loss to Demian Maia.
No word yet on which promotion Fitch will end up with, but perhaps he'll find a home with Bellator MMA or the World Series of Fighting.
At the tender age of 34, he should have plenty of fight left in the tank.
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