Javid Basharat has been unexpectedly removed from the UFC roster despite his recent victory at UFC Vegas 113. The featherweight prospect's promotional future is now uncertain, raising questions about UFC's roster management decisions. This move comes amid ongoing cuts and free agency tracking, potentially impacting the featherweight division's depth. Basharat's removal highlights the precarious nature of UFC contracts even for winners. Fans and analysts await clarity on whether he will be re-signed or pursue other opportunities. No official reason was provided by the promotion.
Javid Basharat has been released from the UFC roster, the promotion confirmed, with the cut arriving despite the English featherweight having just picked up a victory at UFC Vegas 113 earlier this year.
Basharat, known as "The Snow Leopard," entered the UFC as a promising featherweight out of England competing out of Xtreme Couture. The 30-year-old carries a professional record of 15-2-0 and brings a well-rounded offensive game to the cage. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at five-foot-nine with a 69-inch reach, he has averaged an impressive 5.18 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent striking accuracy, while also contributing on the grappling side with 1.83 takedowns per 15 minutes. His submission threat has been minimal, averaging just 0.1 attempts per 15 minutes, marking him as primarily a striker with takedown ability.
Why it matters
- Basharat's release despite a recent win raises broader questions about UFC roster management and the security of contracts even for fighters on winning streaks.
- The featherweight division loses a 15-2 prospect who had shown genuine offensive output at the UFC level.
- Basharat now enters free agency at 30 years old with a strong record, making him an attractive signing for rival promotions such as Bellator, PFL, or ONE Championship.
- No official explanation from the UFC means the circumstances remain unclear, leaving the door open for a potential re-signing or future octagon return.
The decision offers no publicly stated rationale from the promotion, leaving Basharat's next move an open question. At 30 with a 15-2 record and demonstrable striking volume, the Englishman is unlikely to struggle for opportunities outside the UFC should a re-signing fail to materialize.
