The UFC has released four fighters from its roster, most notably former title challenger Colby Covington. Covington's UFC record stood at 12-5 with an overall professional record of 17-5 at the time of his release. Also cut were Brad Riddell (4-3 UFC, 10-4 overall), who was on a three-fight losing streak and last competed in 2022; Nathan Fletcher (1-2 UFC, 10-3 overall), who had already fought outside the promotion for Cage Warriors; and Mayra Bueno Silva (5-7-1 UFC, 10-7-1-1NC overall), who went winless in her last six fights with her most recent victory coming in 2023. The post speculates whether fans might see Covington join MVP to face Nate Diaz.
The UFC has parted ways with four fighters, headlined by former welterweight title challenger Colby Covington, in a roster cut announced on May 18, 2026. Covington, Brad Riddell, Nathan Fletcher, and Mayra Bueno Silva have all been released from their contracts.
Covington departs with a UFC record of 12-5 and a professional mark of 17-5. The former interim champion and two-time title challenger was one of the most prominent figures in the welterweight division during his tenure with the promotion.
Brad Riddell, 34, leaves with an overall record of 10-4. The New Zealand striker out of City Kickboxing carried a three-fight losing streak into his release and had not competed since 2022. Fighting out of an orthodox stance at 170 cm, Riddell posted a significant strike rate of 4.71 per minute at 53 percent accuracy during his UFC run.
Nathan Fletcher, 28, finishes with an overall record of 9-3 after going 1-2 inside the octagon. The English fighter from Next Generation MMA Liverpool had already made an appearance for Cage Warriors before the UFC formalized his release. At 60 percent striking accuracy and averaging 3.53 takedowns per 15 minutes, Fletcher showed promise as a well-rounded prospect.
Mayra Bueno Silva, nicknamed Sheetara, exits ranked seventh in the women's bantamweight division despite a difficult recent stretch. The 34-year-old Brazilian, training out of American Top Team, finishes with an overall record of 10-7-1 and went winless across her last six outings, with her most recent victory coming in 2023. She averaged 1.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes throughout her UFC tenure.
Why it matters
- Covington's release opens the door for a high-profile free-agent signing elsewhere, with speculation linking him to a potential clash with Nate Diaz
- Riddell and Fletcher both exit while still in their athletic primes, making them attractive pickups for rival promotions
- Silva's release shakes up the women's bantamweight rankings, as a top-ten fighter returns to the open market
