Dana White brutally cuts 12 stars from UFC including ex-world title fighter

DANA WHITE has brutally cut 12 fighters from UFC, including a former world title challenger. UFC chief White, 55, made the call to axe 12 stars from the Contender Series. The series is one of the main routes for fighters to make their way into the UFC. However, as the end of Season 8 approaches, White has decided to slash the deals of 12 veterans. The end of the season normally signals a time when veterans are replaced by newcomers. And according to UFC Roster Tracker, 12 fighters were cut from the list of names due to fight on October 7-9. Those 12 are as follows: The most notable names on the list are Saint Preux and Kelleher. Saint Preux, 41, marked his debut at UFC 159 in April 2013. Once ranked as one of the top light heavyweights in the world, he challenged Jon Jones for the interim light heavyweight title at UFC 197 in 2016. However, he lost via unanimous decision. He also competed in the heavyweight division between 2020 and 2021. Saint-Preux has won just four of his last 11 MMA fights, with his record now standing at 27-18. Meanwhile, Kelleher, 38, made his debut in 2017 at UFC 212 and was ranked No15 in the bantamweight division. However, his most recent defeat to Cody Gibson in July 2024 marked a run of four stoppage defeats on the spin. He has an MMA record of 24-16. The final week of the Contender Series rolls around on October 15 before fighters are awarded the final contracts of the season. As many as 38 new deals have been handed out throughout the duration of the series, with at least five more expected.