Gianni Vazquez has been released from the UFC after competing in just one fight for the promotion. The bantamweight stepped up on extremely short notice (three days) to face Javid Basharat at UFC Fight Night on February 7, 2026, at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas after Said Nurmagomedov withdrew during fight week. Despite his willingness to save the matchup, Vazquez missed weight for the bout and was subsequently defeated via unanimous decision. The quick release is notable given Vazquez's five-fight win streak prior to joining the UFC and his willingness to compete on short notice, raising questions about the promotion's roster decisions.
UFC Fight Night
Saturday, February 28, 2026
