Jose Daniel Medina and Felipe Bunes were removed from the UFC roster on March 2, 2026, following losses at UFC Mexico City on February 28. Medina exits with an 0-4 UFC record, knocked out in 41 seconds by Ryan Gandra in his final bout, after prior defeats to Dusko Todorovic, Ateba Gautier, and Zach Reese; he was controversially signed by Dana White despite losing on Contender Series Season 7. Bunes finishes 1-3 in the UFC, with his lone win over Jose Johnson, but recent decision losses to Rafael Estevam and Edgar Chairez. This roster cleanup signals the end of underwhelming tenures for both, opening spots for new talent in middleweight and flyweight divisions. Expect them to seek opportunities on the regional scene or other promotions.[1][2][3]
The UFC parted ways with middleweight Jose Daniel Medina and flyweight Felipe Bunes on March 2, 2026, cutting both fighters just days after their losses at UFC Mexico City on February 28.
Medina, a 35-year-old orthodox striker standing six feet tall with a 74-inch reach, exits the promotion with an 0-4 UFC record, finishing his overall career at 11-7. His final appearance was a brutal one — knocked out in just 41 seconds by Ryan Gandra. That loss capped a rough UFC run that also included defeats to Dusko Todorovic, Ateba Gautier, and Zach Reese. Medina's time on the roster carried extra scrutiny from the start, having been controversially signed by Dana White after dropping a fight on Contender Series Season 7. His statistical profile inside the octagon reflected his struggles, averaging just 2.13 significant strikes per minute at a 36 percent striking accuracy.
Bunes, nicknamed "Felipinho," wraps up his UFC stint at 1-3, with his overall record sitting at 14-9. The 36-year-old Brazilian out of Pitbull Brothers managed one promotional win over Jose Johnson but could not build on it, dropping back-to-back decision losses to Rafael Estevam and most recently Edgar Chairez in Mexico City. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, Bunes averaged 3.17 significant strikes per minute and showed some threat on the mat with 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes, though it was not enough to extend his flyweight tenure.
Why it matters
- Medina's departure closes the book on one of the more debated Contender Series signings in recent memory, with an 0-4 record leaving no statistical case for retention
- Bunes's exit creates an opening in the flyweight division, where roster depth and regional talent pipelines continue to push the UFC toward younger contenders
- Both cuts follow a pattern of post-event roster trimming, signaling continued pressure on fighters outside the rankings to produce results quickly
