20 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2024

Who of these former UFC fighters could get a second chance with the promotion in 2024?

It’s hard to make it to the UFC.

Thousands of professional fighters try every year – and most fail. For a small percentage, however, they sign their names on the dotted line to fight for the biggest MMA promotion in the world.

Sometimes the opportunity comes a bit too soon. Other times, they’re faced with difficult matchups that time proves were bigger challenges than originally anticipated.

When the pink slip comes and a fighter departs the promotion, there is often a phrase they hear on the way out: “Go get a few more wins, and the UFC will consider bringing you back.”

Easier said than done.

For the vast majority, they won’t be back. However, it’s not impossible. A number of fighters have done it over the years. Just look at former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. He was released from the promotion, built his way back, became a contender, and then won a UFC title.

Current roster members Nicolas Dalby, Dustin Jacoby, Modestas Bukauskas, Kurt Holobaugh, Roosevelt Roberts, and Rhys McKee are among those who have reinforced the possibility.

With the new year upon us, here are 20 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2024.

Note: Fighters considered for this list had to have competed in at least one UFC bout.

UFC veterans in MMA, boxing and bareknuckle action Oct. 17-21

Check out which veterans of the UFC are competing in combat sports across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC travels across the globe to Abu Dhabi for UFC 294.

The pay-per-view event at the Etihad Arena features [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] 2 for the lightweight title in the main event, and [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] in the co-feature.

Elsewhere, many other combat sports events are taking place that feature a number of familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

Check out which veterans of the global MMA leader are competing in MMA Oct. 17-22.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

16 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2023

It’s hard to make it to the UFC once, let alone a second time, but these fighters have a chance in 2023.

It’s hard to make it to the UFC.

Thousands of professional fighters try every year – and most fail. For a small percentage, however, they sign their names on the dotted line to fight for the biggest MMA promotion in the world.

Sometimes the opportunity comes a bit too soon. Other times, they’re faced with difficult matchups that time proves were bigger challenges than originally anticipated.

When the pink slip comes and a fighter departs the promotion, there is often a phrase they hear on the way out: “Go get a few more wins, and the UFC will consider bringing you back.”

Easier said than done.

For the vast majority, they won’t be back. However, it’s not impossible. A number of fighters have done it over the years. Just look at UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. He was released from the promotion, built his way back, became a contender, and then won a UFC title.

In recent memory, others like Brandon Davis, Jesse Ronson, Nicolas Dalby, Chase Sherman, Sean Soriano, and Dustin Jacoby have reinforced the possibility.

With the new year upon us, here are 16 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2023.

Note: Fighters considered for this list had to have competed in at least one UFC bout.

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31’ rosters revealed, includes eight former UFC fighters

Check out the 16 fighters who made the cut for “TUF 31” – including eight former UFC fighters.

“The Ultimate Fighter” is back for a 31st season, which will be coached by lightweight stars [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag].

Set to debut May 30 on ESPN and run until Aug. 15, the series will include men’s bantamweights and lightweights, as first reported on MMA Junkie’s “Spinning Back Clique.” Filming began in February in Las Vegas.

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) will square off after the conclusion of the series at a date and location yet-to-be-determined.

In addition to an announcement of rosters Saturday, the promotion announced the upcoming season will have a theme of “Redemption,” which pins former UFC fighters against rising prospects.

Dozens of fighters applied and only 16 were selected. Scroll below to see who made the cut.

These UFC veterans are in MMA, boxing and kickboxing action Oct. 3-Oct. 9

Check out which UFC veterans are in combat sports action this week.

The UFC is idle this week before another event at UFC Apex in Las Vegas for UFC Fight Night 212.

However, there are a number of MMA, boxing and kickboxing events taking place that feature many familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

From a hardcore fan-favorite welterweight to a legend of the kickboxing and MMA world, these 7 veterans of the global MMA leader are competing this week from Oct. 3-Oct. 9.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

UFC on ESPN 32 post-event facts: Katlyn Chookagian sets dubious decision record

Check out all the facts and figures from UFC on ESPN 32, which saw history made on the promotion’s first event of 2022.

The first UFC event of the year took place Saturday with UFC on ESPN 32 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

A 10-fight card that was ravaged by lineup changes ultimately concluded with a strong performance from [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] (23-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC), who returned from a career-long layoff to battle [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) en route to a unanimous decision in the matchup of featherweight contenders.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 35 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN 32.

UFC on ESPN 32 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Court McGee leads charge with $20,000

UFC on ESPN 32 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 32 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $132,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 32 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 32 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Jake Collier[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Chase Sherman[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Rogerio Bontorin[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Jennifer Maia[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Viacheslav Borshchev[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Dakota Bush[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Bill Algeo[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Joanderson Brito[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Jamie Pickett[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Joseph Holmes[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Court McGee[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Ramiz Brahimaj[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Brian Kelleher[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]TJ Brown[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Charles Rosa[/autotag]: $11,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-32 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2022 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

  • “UFC on ESPN 32: Kattar vs. Chikadze” – $132,000

Year-to-date total: $132,000
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $6,299,500

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UFC on ESPN 32 video: Viacheslav Borshchev folds Dakota Bush with nasty body shot

Viacheslav Borshchev earned the first UFC finish of the year when he halted Dakota Bush in vicious fashion.

After a string of decisions to open UFC on ESPN 32 on Saturday, [autotag]Viacheslav Borshchev[/autotag] earned the first octagon finish of 2022 when he stopped [autotag]Dakota Bush[/autotag] in the opening round.

Borshchev (6-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) showed plenty of confidence in his UFC debut. He went toe-to-toe with Bush (8-4 MMA, 0-2 UFC) in the lightweight bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and it didn’t take long to finish the job.

The Team Alpha Male product cornered Bush against the fence and unleashed a powerful combination that was highlighted by a nasty left hook to the body. Bush immediately folded from the shot, then Borshchev landed a few more hammerfists to get the stoppage at the 3:47 mark of Round 1.

Check out the replay below (via Twitter):

With the win, Borshchev has now earned all five of his career finishes by knockout. None was bigger, however, than his effort at UFC on ESPN 32.

“I believe in the liver shot,” Borshchev said in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. “It’s a good move. I got him there to the body.”

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UFC on ESPN 32 predictions: Who’s picking Calvin Kattar to upset Giga Chikadze?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN 32 main card, featuring Calvin Kattar vs. Giga Chikadze.

Kattar
vs.
Chikadze
Collier
vs.
Sherman
Bontorin
vs.
Royval
Chookagian
vs.
Maia
Borshchev
vs.
Bush
Algeo
vs.
Brito
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2021: 209-121
chikadze2022
Chikadze
(68%)
sherman2022
Sherman
(68%)
royval2022
Royval
(74%)
chookagian2022
Chookagian
(66%)
borshchev2022
Borshchev
(80%)
brito2022
Brito
(58%)
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohnA
2021: 212-118
trophy copy 2014 Champion
chikadze2022
Chikadze
collier2022
Collier
royval2022
Royval
chookagian2022
Chookagian
borshchev2022
Borshchev
algeo2022
Algeo
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2021: 211-119
chikadze2022
Chikadze
collier2022
Collier
royval2022
Royval
maia2022
Maia
borshchev2022
Borshchev
brito2022
Brito
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2021: 205-125
trophy copy 2014 Champion
chikadze2022
Chikadze
sherman2022
Sherman
bontorin2022
Bontorin
chookagian2022
Chookagian
borshchev2022
Borshchev
brito2022
Brito
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2021: 202-128
chikadze2022
Chikadze
collier2022
Collier
royval2022
Royval
chookagian2022
Chookagian
borshchev2022
Borshchev
brito2022
Brito
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2021: 201-129
kattar2022
Kattar
collier2022
Collier
bontorin2022
Bontorin
chookagian2022
Chookagian
borshchev2022
Borshchev
brito2022
Brito
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
2021: 130-84 (60.57)
chikadze2022
Chikadze
collier2022
Collier
royval2022
Royval
maia2022
Maia
bush2022
Bush
brito2022
Brito
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2021: 195-135
trophy copy 2018 Champion
chikadze2022
Chikadze
collier2022
Collier
bontorin2022
Bontorin
chookagian2022
Chookagian
borshchev2022
Borshchev
brito2022
Brito
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2021: 194-136
chikadze2022
Chikadze
collier2022
Collier
royval2022
Royval
chookagian2022
Chookagian
borshchev2022
Borshchev
brito2022
Brito
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2021: 192-138
kattar2022
Kattar
collier2022
Collier
royval2022
Royval
chookagian2022
Chookagian
bush2022
Bush
brito2022
Brito
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2021: 191-139
kattar2022
Kattar
sherman2022
Sherman
royval2022
Royval
maia2022
Maia
borshchev2022
Borshchev
algeo2022
Algeo
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2021: 190-140
trophy copy 2017 Champion
chikadze2022
Chikadze
collier2022
Collier
royval2022
Royval
maia2022
Maia
bush2022
Bush
algeo2022
Algeo
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2021: 187-143
chikadze2022
Chikadze
sherman2022
Sherman
royval2022
Royval
maia2022
Maia
borshchev2022
Borshchev
brito2022
Brito

The first UFC event of the year takes place Saturday in Las Vegas with featherweights at the top of the bill.

UFC on ESPN 32 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag] (14-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will look to keep his perfect UFC record intact when he takes on [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] (22-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) at 145 pounds. Chikadze is a sizable -250 favorite at Tipico; the comeback on Kattar is +190. Our 12 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are backing Chikadze at a 9-3 clip.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Jake Collier[/autotag] (12-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC) takes on [autotag]Chase Sherman[/autotag] (15-8 MMA, 3-7 UFC) at heavyweight. Collier is a slight favorite at -140 and has a big 9-3 lead from our pickers.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Rogerio Bontorin[/autotag] (17-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) meets [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag] (12-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) at flyweight. Royval is a -175 betting favorite and also has a 9-3 edge from our staff members in the picks.

Former women’s flyweight title challenger [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) returns against [autotag]Jennifer Maia[/autotag] (19-7-1 MMA, 4-3 UFC). Chookagian nearly is a 2-1 favorite at -190 at the betting window, but she has just a narrow 7-5 lead in the picks.

[autotag]Viacheslav Borshchev[/autotag] (5-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is the biggest favorite on the main card at -210 in his lightweight fight against [autotag]Dakota Bush[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC). He’s also got a big lead from our pickers at 9-3.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Bill Algeo[/autotag] (14-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) takes on [autotag]Joanderson Brito[/autotag] (12-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at featherweight. Brito is a slight favorite at -140 and has a 9-3 lead from our pickers.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Chikadze (68 percent), Sherman (68 percent), Royval (74 percent), Chookagian (66 percent), Borshchev (80 percent) and Brito (58 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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[listicle id=1987869]

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Viacheslav Borshchev set for UFC debut against Dakota Bush on Jan. 15

Recent Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner Viacheslav Borshchev now has a date for his UFC debut.

Recent Dana White’s Contender Series contract winner [autotag]Viacheslav Borshchev[/autotag] now has a date for his UFC debut.

Borshchev (5-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will face fellow lightweight [autotag]Dakota Bush[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at a UFC Fight Night event on Jan. 15, MMA Junkie today learned from two people with knowledge of the booking who requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make a formal announcement.

Borshchev was awarded a UFC contract earlier this month after scoring a highlight-reel finish of Chris Duncan at Dana White’s Contender Series 43. It was the third straight win of 2021 for the Team Alpha Male fighter, who was an accomplished kickboxer before making the transition to MMA.

Meanwhile, “Hairy” Bush looks to rebound from an April decision loss to Austin Hubbard. A seven-time LFA veteran prior to his UFC run, Bush was scheduled to face Zhu Rong in September but tested positive for COVID-19 on the week of the fight and was forced out of the contest.

With the addition to the card, the Jan. 15 lineup now includes:

  • Bill Algeo vs. Joanderson Brito
  • Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Court McGee
  • Saidyokub Kakhramonov vs. Brian Kelleher
  • Zarrukh Adashev vs. Kleydson Rodrigues
  • Rogerio Bontorin vs. Brandon Royval
  • Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jennifer Maia
  • Vanessa Demopoulos vs. Ashley Yoder
  • Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. Joaquin Buckley
  • Jake Collier vs. Chase Sherman
  • Viacheslav Borshchev vs. Dakota Bush

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