Gianni Vazquez was released by the UFC after his promotional debut on three days' notice at UFC Vegas 113 on February 7, where he lost a unanimous decision to Javid Basharat in the prelims after missing weight. Vazquez had entered on a five-fight win streak following a submission loss to Edgar Chairez, stepping in for Said Nurmagomedov. The cut comes shortly after his only UFC appearance, surprising fans given his willingness to save the bantamweight bout. Similarly, TUF veteran Nathan Fletcher was removed from the roster after a 1-2 UFC record. This highlights UFC's roster management post short-notice fights, affecting bantamweight depth.
The UFC has released Gianni Vazquez following his promotional debut at UFC Vegas 113 on February 7, cutting him from the roster despite his willingness to step in on just three days' notice to keep a bantamweight bout on the card.
Vazquez had replaced Said Nurmagomedov, the 34-year-old Russian contender fighting out of Fight Club Akhmat who carries an 18-5 record and averages over three significant strikes per minute. Vazquez entered the contest on a five-fight win streak, his only prior defeat coming by submission against Edgar Chairez, a 30-year-old Mexican fighter with a 13-6 record known for his submission threat of 1.3 attempts per 15 minutes. Despite that momentum, Vazquez missed weight before the fight and went on to lose a unanimous decision to Javid Basharat in the preliminary card. The UFC moved swiftly, releasing him shortly after the appearance.
The organization also cut TUF veteran Nathan Fletcher around the same time. The 28-year-old from England, who competes out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool, finishes his UFC tenure with a 1-2 record. Fletcher showed well-rounded skills during his time on the roster, posting a striking accuracy of 60 percent and an impressive 3.53 takedowns per 15 minutes across his UFC bouts.
Why it matters
- The dual release raises questions about how the UFC values fighters who accept short-notice assignments, particularly when a weight miss complicates the narrative around Vazquez.
- Bantamweight roster depth takes a minor hit, with both Vazquez and Fletcher now available to regional and international promotions.
- Fletcher's removal is notable given his activity level and above-average grappling output during his UFC stint.
