5 fighters who broke the UFC’s trust in them
Having a positive relationship with the UFC is an important factor in having a successful career with the promotion. Thus, countless UFC fighters have poured a tremendous amount of effort into earning Dana White's goodwill. Some of them do so by trash-talking to line themselves up with the UFC's promotional goals.
Other fighters—such as Kevin Holland and Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone—get on the UFC's good side by acting as willing short-notice replacements. Their other colleagues did so by not withdrawing from bouts due to injury. However, for every fighter who earns the promotion's trust, others lose it in spectacular fashion.
Sometimes, fighters lose the UFC's goodwill by engaging in public negotiations with the promotion. At other times, they comment negatively on the promotion's controversial pay structure. Just as there are many ways to earn the UFC's trust, there are many ways to lose it.
Throughout the promotion's history, several fighters have ended up on its bad side. Some, however, have suffered from everlasting effects. This list compiles five fighters who lost the promotion's trust.
#5. Ottman Azaitar, UFC lightweight
UFC 257 focused on the first of two highly anticipated rematches between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. However, during the leadup to the bout, another fighter made headlines. At the time, Ottman Azaitar was a surging lightweight with an undefeated record.
Not only was 'The Bulldozer' undefeated, but he finished every foe but one via either submission or TKO/KO. Unfortunately, the Moroccan-German standout earned Dana White's ire before his then-scheduled bout against Matt Frevola. Ottman Azaitar was found to have breached safety and health regulations.
"It's bad, he's gone, he's no longer a UFC fighter."
Dana White explains why Ottman Azaitar has been cut from the UFC following a health and safety breach at #UFC257. https://t.co/UO3aJbLUWO
This happened during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. 'The Bulldozer' helped smuggle an unidentified individual into the fighter hotel. He did so by providing the unidentified party with wrist-passes. Furthermore, the stranger carried a bag containing unverified contents.
The man is said to have traversed four balconies before eventually exiting the hotel. For his part in the incident, Ottman Azaitar was promptly released. While the alleged intervention of the Moroccan monarchy and Ali Abdelaziz is said to have caused Dana White to reconsider, the damage was done.
The once undefeated lightweight was re-signed within a month, but the UFC took nearly two years to book him for a fight. Finally at UFC 281, the Moroccan-German, whose initial UFC fights were prelim bouts, was scheduled for the early prelims.
To be given a spot below the one he was given on his promotional debut without ever suffering a loss was a clear downgrade. Worse still, 'The Bulldozer' tasted defeat for the first time after being KO'd by Matt Frevola in their rescheduled bout.
#4. T.J. Dillashaw
During the leadup to T.J. Dillashaw's matchup against Aljamain Sterling, fan interest was high. The reigning 135 lbs champion is a grappler by trade. Thus, the former Team Alpha Male export's vaunted wrestling abilities rendered the bout exciting.
Many wondered if 'The Funkmaster' would be able to secure takedowns against T.J. Dillashaw. If not, the consensus was that the former champion would thoroughly outstrike his foe. Instead, what ensued was an embarrassing outing for the two-time titleholder.
Dana White asked how the commission could have missed TJ Dillashaw's disclosed shoulder.
#UFC280 https://t.co/QzES3MrWYt
He dislocated his left shoulder early in the fight. Despite his attempts to pop his shoulder back into its socket, T.J. Dillashaw never recovered. With a terribly compromised shoulder, he was helpless, eventually losing via TKO in the second round. The severe nature of the dislocation, however, raised eyebrows.
According to the two-time champion himself, he dislocated his shoulder 20 times during his training camp for the bout. However, he failed to disclose his injuries to either the UFC or the athletic commission. Thus, he entered the title fight one-armed with an improbable chance of winning.
Not only did it rob the UFC of a true title fight, it also held up the bantamweight division. The move received an intense wave of criticism from fighters and fans alike. After the bout, Dana White expressed his frustration over T.J. Dillashaw's decision to withhold health-related information.
This further taints the two-time champion's image. The bout was only his second fight since his return from a two-year suspension due to a PED test failure. Given the nature of both incidents, the former champion is in a position where he can no longer be trusted by the UFC.
#3. Paulo Costa
While Paulo Costa has settled into his role as a comedic gem on social media, he was once a serious title contender at middleweight. The Brazilian Bruiser was an undefeated swarmer who had defeated everyone except Yoel Romero via KO/TKO. At UFC 253, however, he met his match.
In a bout billed as being contested between two undefeated phenoms, Paulo Costa fell to Israel Adesanya. Not only was it the first loss of his career, but it was a TKO made even more humiliating by the Nigerian's post-fight antics. After a year-long absence, 'The Eraser' returned against Marvin Vettori.
Another change ⚖️
Paulo Costa v Marvin Vettori has been moved to a fight at 205lbs, a weight class above the original agreement.
Costa will lose 20% of his purse to Vettori.
(via @KevinI) https://t.co/Gw8E2F8Hdk
The matchup was preceded by the UFC's multiple attempts at booking the Brazilian bruiser in other fights. Unfortunately, Paulo Costa withdrew from every previous matchup for one reason or another. Finally, upon his acceptance of the bout with Marvin Vettori, excitement was high.
However, controversy soon arose. Despite the fight being initially booked as a middleweight contest, 'The Eraser' was 23 lbs away from the 185 lbs limit before the weigh-ins. Thus, the bout was rescheduled to a light heavyweight matchup. The Brazilian's actions received a wave of extreme criticism.
He exhibited no remorse and after losing to 'The Italian Dream', was criticized by Dana White. The UFC President characterized him as a nightmare to deal with and was adamant that 'The Eraser' would then have to compete at 205 lbs. Paulo Costa, it seemed, had lost the promotion's faith in him to make middleweight.
However, a year later, Dana White walked back on his statements by booking a bout between the Brazilian and Luke Rockhold.
#2. Georges St-Pierre
Despite being one of the most beloved figures in MMA, Georges St-Pierre lost the promotion's trust towards the end of his career. The Hall of Famer is widely recognized as the greatest welterweight of all time. After a grueling fight against Johny Hendricks at UFC 167, the Canadian shocked the MMA world.
'Rush' announced his desire to embark on a sabbatical from MMA. His decision earned Dana White's ire. The UFC president erupted before insisting that 'GSP' owed Johny Hendricks a rematch. He further asserted that 'GSP' also owed the fans and the promotion itself.
“I’m going to be super pissed" - Dana White if GSP doesn't defend the UFC middleweight title. What are your thoughts? #planetmma #mma #ufc #gsp https://t.co/DHy6c3Y37t
However, Georges St-Pierre moved forward with his hiatus. After a four-year absence from the sport, he returned at UFC 217. There, he defeated Michael Bisping to capture the middleweight title. When he became a two-division champion, he did so under the condition that he'd defend the title.
Unfortunately, health-related issues rendered the Canadian great incapable of following through with his promise. His decision to vacate the title lost him the UFC's trust. Thus, when 'GSP' expressed his desire to face Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title, Dana White refused.
#1. Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo is a classic case of someone overplaying their hand. The self-proclaimed 'King of Cringe' is one of the most successful combat athletes in history. He is an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling and a former two-division champion.
Furthermore, he defeated a string of all-time greats in Dominick Cruz, T.J. Dillashaw and Demetrious Johnson. Despite his exceptional skills, Henry Cejudo has not stepped foot inside the octagon since 2020. After resurrecting the men's flyweight division, he conquered the 135 lbs division.
So if I had blonde hair and blue eyes or if I was a Canadian with a accent,maybe you would give it to me? I defend both my belts unlike GPS. I left on top and retired on that Monday to give the rest of the division’S a chance. You are plain out scared that I will win.@danawhite https://t.co/nlLyNwi1ne
Alas, after defeating Dominick Cruz to defend his bantamweight title, the Olympic gold medalist announced his retirement from MMA. The decision shocked the world, including Dana White, who previously had no interest in weight classes as low as flyweight.
Allegedly, Henry Cejudo's retirement was a ploy to use his leverage as a double champion to earn greater pay. It backfired in a major way. The promotion did not budge. Additionally, the promotion has rejected his repeated proposals to return to face Alexander Volkanovski for an unprecedented third divisional title.
Dana White even turned down the former champion's request to fight for the bantamweight title. It was White's opinion that the Olympic gold medalist needed to earn a title fight instead of skipping the line. Since the UFC has allowed other fighters to skip the line for title fights, their displeasure was clear.
The back-and-forth lasted roughly two years. However, after Aljamain Sterling's win over T.J. Dillashaw, Dana White expressed an interest in potentially seeing Henry Cejudo face him.