Javid Basharat was removed from the UFC roster and lost ranking eligibility despite his recent victory over Gianni Vasquez at UFC Vegas 113 on February 7, 2026. His contract expired after the win, making him a free agent at age 30. This follows a trend under the new Paramount deal emphasizing finishes, as Basharat has no UFC stoppages in seven fights. It impacts the bantamweight division by signaling roster tightening against decision-heavy fighters. Expect Basharat to seek re-signing or opportunities elsewhere, given his 15-2 record against solid competition like Aiemann Zahabi and Ricky Simon.
Javid Basharat has been cut from the UFC roster despite picking up a win over Gianni Vasquez at UFC Vegas 113 on February 7, 2026, with the Englishman's contract expiring immediately after the bout and leaving him a free agent at age 30.
Basharat, nicknamed "The Snow Leopard," carried a 15-2 record and a reputation as one of the busier strikers in the bantamweight division. Fighting out of Xtreme Couture, the five-foot-nine orthodox fighter lands 5.18 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent accuracy rate — numbers that place him among the more active and precise hands at 135 pounds. His UFC run included notable victories over ranked opposition such as Aiemann Zahabi and Ricky Simon, yet his seven-fight UFC tenure produced zero stoppages, all decisions.
That final detail appears to be at the heart of his release. The new Paramount broadcasting deal has reportedly placed a premium on finishes, and roster decisions under that framework are now penalizing decision-heavy fighters regardless of their win-loss record. Basharat's inability to stop opponents — despite his high output — made him a casualty of that shift in organizational priorities.
The bantamweight division loses a competitive fighter who tested himself against credible names. Zahabi, a 38-year-old Canadian out of Tristar Gym, holds a 14-3 record and ranked fourteenth in the division. Simon, a 33-year-old American Top Team product, carries a 22-7-1 mark and averages 4.49 takedowns per 15 minutes, making his decision loss to Basharat a legitimate résumé entry.
Why it matters
- Basharat's release signals that a strong record alone may not be enough to retain a UFC contract under the current finish-focused mandate
- Bantamweight loses an active, accurate striker who had wins over ranked competition
- As a free agent at 30, Basharat enters the market at a competitive age and could attract interest from major promotions seeking proven talent
