The UFC is facing backlash over its decision to part ways with Farid Basharat despite the bantamweight’s unbeaten record and perfect run inside the Octagon. The 29-year-old was not offered a new contract, bringing his UFC stint to an end at 16-0 overall and 7-0 in the promotion.
Basharat’s lack of finishes has been a major talking point since news of his release surfaced. Six of his seven UFC wins came by decision, although he consistently got the job done against tough competition. His most recent outing was a victory over John Garza in July, adding to a resume that includes wins over Jean Matsumoto, Chris Gutierrez, and Taylor Lapilus.
The Afghan fighter had built an impressive run after earning his UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022. He went on to win all seven of his Octagon appearances and even worked his way into the top 10 of the official bantamweight rankings.
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ
The news is confirmed, I am no longer with the UFC.
I’ve had an incredibly successful time in the organisation. I’m proud and happy with what I’ve accomplished inside the Octagon. I leave with a stainless record. Holding the longest active win streak in my weight division and the fourth longest in the entire UFC. I feel I’m the best bantamweight in the world.
I always turned up and fought regardless of injuries and weight deficits. And I always asked for the toughest opponent to get me closer to the title.But my departure clearly has nothing to do with my fighting capabilities. Unfortunately the organisation just isn’t what it used to be. They’re heading in a different direction from what we all grew up loving.
I want to clarify that since my last fight I was never offered a contract or an opponent, I waited but it never came. I’ve certainly never declined a fight during my whole tenure.I want to thank the UFC staff with whom I’ve developed a great relationship these past few years. And most importantly thank you to the fans for all your support ❤️
I’m still young, the best is yet to come inshaAllah.
🌹— Farid Basharat (@faridbofficial) October 15, 2026
His older brother, Javid Basharat, also parted ways with the promotion following a win and has since signed with the PFL. The 135-pounder later took aim at the UFC, accusing the organization of trying to delegitimize the sport and arguing that it had changed for the worse. Now, Dana White has weighed in on the controversial decision to release him.
Dana White Suggests Farid Basharat’s UFC Release Was About More Than His 16-0 Record
During the UFC Edmonton post-fight press conference, White was asked why Basharat was not offered a new deal. Suggesting that his record was not the only factor, the UFC CEO said, “Yeah, I think that when guys’ contracts are up, I mean, this isn’t the first time this has happened.”
He went on to explain, “And either guys aren’t good to deal with, and the matchmakers don’t want to deal with them. Or, you know, which could be turning down fights or whatever the reasoning is.”
White then hinted that there could be more to Basharat’s departure than meets the eye, adding, “If you’re 16-0 with seven wins in the UFC and don’t get re-signed, there’s definitely a reason.”
😳👀 Dana White hints there may be MORE to Farid Basharat’s UFC exit
“If you’re 16-0 with seven wins in the UFC and don’t get re-signed, there’s definitely a reason.”
🎥 @Home_of_Fight / @LynchOnSports ▫️ https://t.co/rYtyfxkHGC
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 18, 2026
Despite his UFC exit, Basharat should have plenty of options as a free agent. With an unbeaten record and seven Octagon victories to his name, he could attract interest from other major promotions. PFL/MVP MMA is one possible destination, especially since his older brother, Javid Basharat, has already joined the promotion after his own UFC release.
Farid is also far from the only fighter to leave the UFC despite picking up wins. In September, the promotion opted not to re-sign Michael ‘Venom’ Page despite his 5-1 record inside the Octagon. Even a victory in Paris was not enough to earn him another deal, raising further questions about how the UFC evaluates its roster.
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Daniel Marcos was also removed from the UFC roster this year despite holding an 18-1 record. Meanwhile, another fighter who had yet to suffer a professional loss recently joined his divisional peer outside the Octagon.
The UFC’s previous decision to release Muhammad Mokaev, with White also pointing to behind-the-scenes issues, has only added to the frustration surrounding these departures.
The situation becomes even more puzzling when fighters like Tai Tuivasa remain on the roster despite being on an eight-fight losing streak. While every fighter’s circumstances are different, the contrast raises an obvious question: Is the UFC always the best place for the best fighters in the world?
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
