Kurt Holobaugh – Page 5 – Syndication Server

‘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.

12 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2022

It’s hard to make it to the UFC. It’s even more difficult to make it a second time.

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 of those departing the UFC, 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. Others like Brandon Davis, Jesse Ronson, Nicolas Dalby, Chase Sherman, Sean Soriano, and Dustin Jacoby have reinforced it being possible.

With the new year upon us, here are 12 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2022.

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

UFC roster update: Zak Ottow, Kurt Holobaugh among 10 released; one fighter announces retirement

The UFC is trimming its roster as 2019 comes to an end, with 11 fighters parting ways.

As 2019 winds down, the UFC has trimmed its roster. A dozen fighters have been released from their contracts or not re-signed in recent weeks, MMA Junkie has learned.

Each fighter listed has announced the release, or a member of his or her team has informed MMA Junkie of the news. The order in which they appear is alphabetical, not chronological.

The exact time frames and terms of the releases (i.e. end of contract vs. severance) were not disclosed to MMA Junkie.

Rostem Akman | Welterweight (6-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)

Sweden’s [autotag]Rostem Akman[/autotag] debuted at UFC on ESPN+ 11 in early June. Taking a fight against Sergey Khandozhko in enemy territory, Akman lost a unanimous decision. Akman suffered the same fate in his sophomore outing, losing a unanimous decision to Jake Matthews at UFC 243 in October.

Allen Crowder | Heavyweight (10-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC)

Heavyweight [autotag]Allen Crowder[/autotag] has retired, according to a report from BJPenn.com. Crowder has decided to step away from due to ongoing memory issues caused by concussions. The North Carolina-based big man’s lone UFC win came against Greg Hardy in January. Crowder won by disqualification due to an illegal knee. His lone victory with the promotion was bookended by knockout losses to Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Justin Willis.

More roster updates on the next page:

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