Junior dos Santos

By FCF Staff

Following the UFC’s surprising release of Yoel Romero, Junior dos Santos is questioning the narrative the middleweight contender was too expensive for the promotion.

Although Romero has lost three straight fights, due to the powerful wrestler’s lengthy run as a contender, there hadn’t been talk about him being released. Especially since Romero was coming off a decision loss to champion, Israel Adesanya.

So, when it was confirmed that the UFC had cut ties with the 43-year-old, it sent a shock wave throughout MMA.

Since then, UFC President Dana White cited Romero’s age, and recent losses, as to why he was let go. White also said the UFC’s roster is inflated and that as many as 60 cuts could be coming.

Due to White’s comments, there’s been speculation that dos Santos (21-8) could be on the chopping block, if he loses to Ciryl Gane today at UFC 256. The 36-year-old, former heavyweight champ has lost three straight.

While talking to MMA Fighting recently about White’s comments, and Romero’s release, he said this.

“I heard (White) say that, but, honestly, I’m focused on my next fight,” dos Santos said . “I thought Romero’s release was really weird and even unfair. What you mentioned about Romero possibly being expensive for the UFC, that’s definitely far from any reality. Nothing is expensive for the UFC. The UFC can’t say any athlete is expensive.

“Everyone has their own relationship with the UFC, their story, and athletes are the ones who make the show. There’s no way an athlete is expensive for the UFC. (The UFC) might want to benefit from signing cheaper athletes, but not that a fighter is expensive for the UFC because the show is always made by the athletes.”

“I thought this Romero situation was really weird, but I haven’t thought much about it,” he continued. “The way our contract is (structured), the UFC can release us or cancel our contracts at any moment, so that’s constant in our careers. Maybe they are planning massive cuts now, but that can happen at any moment. It’s part of our run in the UFC.

‘Cigano’s’ last win took place in March, 2019, when he stopped Derrick Lewis.