Overview
- The UFC chose not to re-sign Farid Basharat when his deal expired, ending his 16-0 pro run that included a 7-0 record inside the promotion.
- UFC president Dana White suggested there are usually reasons when contracts are not renewed, citing fighters who “turn down fights” or are “not good to deal with,” which prompted public speculation about Basharat’s exit.
- Basharat’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, denied those implications and said Basharat accepted every opponent offered, including taking a bout in 2024 against an overweight fighter.
- Basharat told reporters White’s remarks damaged his reputation, said the UFC leader likely spoke in generalities, and added he is recovering from recent surgery and not rushing back while other organizations are in contact.
- Journalists note the move fits a broader UFC pattern of favoring fighters who produce stoppages and social-media moments, a dynamic that can push decision-heavy winners toward other promotions such as the PFL.