Top five-ranked UFC fighter brutally axed from roster in series of cuts by Dana White

Women’s bantamweight contender Ketlen Vieira is among four fighters who have been brutally released from the UFC.

Brazil’s Vieira scored her 10th win in Dana White‘s promotion over Jacqueline Cavalcanti this past weekend to hold her spot as the UFC’s No. 5-ranked women’s bantamweight.

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The 34-year-old has been in the UFC for almost 10 years, but her run is now reportedly over.

Several fighters released from UFC

According to MMA Fighting, Vieira joins Ivan Erslan, Tuco Tokkos and Daniel Barez in the latest series of UFC roster cuts made by UFC CEO White.

All four combatants competed on the UFC’s latest Fight Night card in Las Vegas, which was headlined by Arnold Allen’s points win over Melquizael Costa in a featherweight title eliminator.

Vieira, who has wins over Cat Zingano, Miesha Tate and Holly Holm in the UFC, secured a close unanimous decision early on the card.

Two of her three losses in the last five years have come to former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington and current UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison.

Erslan, meanwhile, tasted victory for the first time in the Octagon by outpointing Briton Tokkos on the same card in Sin City.

The Croatian light heavyweight went on a two-fight losing streak following an unsuccessful UFC debut in 2024.

Like his opponent Tokkos, who leaves the UFC with a 1-3 record, Erslan will have to continue his MMA career elsewhere.

Finally, Spanish flyweight Barez also departs the UFC.

The 37-year-old joined the UFC in 2023, but was victorious in just one of his four fights.

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White is clearly having a big roster clear-out, as these latest releases come just days after three-time welterweight title challenger Colby Covington was removed from the roster.

The American reportedly informed UFC officials of his decision to retire.

Covington’s release came alongside New Zealander Brad Riddell and former women’s bantamweight title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva.

All three had their names removed from the UFC’s official roster.

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