Dana White addressed the departure of undefeated Farid Basharat from the UFC roster, suggesting issues beyond in-cage performance. Speaking after UFC Edmonton, White said that fighters who aren't re-signed are either difficult to deal with or turn down fights, adding that a 16-0 fighter with seven UFC wins who isn't re-signed has "definitely" got a reason. Basharat became a free agent after his contract expired and said his exit has nothing to do with his fighting capabilities, claiming the organization is heading in a different direction.
UFC CEO Dana White has addressed the departure of undefeated bantamweight Farid Basharat from the promotion, suggesting the reasons go beyond what happened inside the cage.
Speaking after UFC Edmonton, White said that fighters who are not re-signed are generally either difficult to deal with or turn down fights. He added that a fighter who is 16-0 with seven UFC wins and still isn't re-signed "definitely" has a reason behind it.
Basharat, however, tells a different story. The 29-year-old became a free agent after his contract expired and has said his exit has nothing to do with his fighting capabilities. He claims the organization is simply heading in a different direction.
The fighter
Basharat, nicknamed "Ferocious," is an Orthodox fighter from England who trains out of London Shootfighters. He stands five-foot-eight with a 71-inch reach and holds a perfect 16-0 record. At the time of his exit he was ranked 13th in the bantamweight division.
His numbers show a well-rounded, pressure-heavy style. He lands 4.46 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy, and averages 3.57 takedowns per 15 minutes, a rate that reflects a strong wrestling-based approach. He also averages 0.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
The executive
White, 57, has led the UFC as its public face and decision-maker for years. His comments fit a familiar pattern, with the promotion's leadership often framing contract situations around professionalism and willingness to fight rather than records alone.
Why it matters
- An unbeaten, ranked fighter leaving the roster is unusual, and the two sides are offering conflicting explanations.
- White's remarks imply a behind-the-scenes issue, while Basharat insists it is a matter of the company's direction.
- As a free agent, Basharat is now able to explore options outside the UFC, with his 16-0 record intact.
Neither side has detailed the specifics of the negotiations, leaving the public narrative defined by their differing accounts.
