Dana White Cuts Seven Fighters, Adds Rising Brazilian Prospects Amid UFC Media Rights Shift

UFC President Dana White has recently taken a firm stance on fighter reliability and roster management amid ongoing events and contract decisions. He dismissed the possibility of a Jon Jones versus Alex Pereira fight due to size mismatches and expressed distrust in Jones' consistency, favoring Conor McGregor as the centerpiece for major events like the UFC White House card. Meanwhile, Kelvin Gastelum's career is under scrutiny after missing weight by a significant margin for the fifth time, prompting calls for his release. The UFC has also undergone a roster shake-up, removing several fighters including Paul Craig, who retired following a loss, as well as Austin Hubbard, Maheshate, Preston Parsons, Maryna Moroz, Melissa Martinez, and Westin Wilson. This roster clearance coincides with Dana White's Contender Series efforts to infuse fresh talent, highlighted by contracts awarded to promising prospects like Caroline Foro and others. Overall, the UFC is balancing the departure of veterans with the arrival of new fighters while maintaining strict standards on reliability and performance.