Mike Breeden, despite winning his first fight in the UFC at UFC 294, has been released from the UFC roster after his contract expired and the promotion chose not to renew it.
Mike Breeden, who secured his first victory in the UFC at UFC 294, has been released from the promotion, according to sources. The 34-year-old fighter is now a free agent, as the UFC decided not to renew his contract after his recent third-round TKO win over Anshul Jubli. This news was initially reported by Ariel Helwani on Twitter.
Although Breeden managed to achieve a significant octagon win, his circumstances were far from ideal. Prior to the fight, he missed weight by 3.5 pounds, which raises concerns about his discipline. Furthermore, Breeden later disclosed that a staph infection he had developed before his trip to Abu Dhabi contributed to his weight miss. Despite these setbacks, the victory came at a crucial time for him.
Breeden’s tenure in the UFC was characterized by challenging opponents. He faced off against Natan Levy, resulting in a decision loss, and suffered knockout losses to short-notice replacements Alexander Hernandez and Terrance McKinney. These formidable opponents undoubtedly tested his abilities inside the octagon.
With his release from the UFC, Breeden now enters the next chapter of his career as a free agent. It remains to be seen where he will go from here and what opportunities lie ahead for the talented fighter. Only time will tell if Breeden can find success outside of the UFC and continue to pursue his aspirations in the world of professional mixed martial arts.