The UFC’s roster philosophy seems to be changing, as an undefeated record no longer guarantees a secured spot in the promotion. Since winning alone does not drive the business, matchmakers favor fighters who finish bouts, sell tickets and generate massive viewership.
Despite his perfect record, Farid Basharat never became a major ticket seller in the bantamweight division. His departure follows a pattern set by his older brother, Javid Basharat, who also left the company earlier this year. Farid fought out the final bout of his contract and won, but the promotion chose not to offer him a new deal.
Farid Basharat Not Offered New UFC Contract After 7-0 Run
Farid Basharat is officially a free agent now. Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting first reported that the undefeated bantamweight did not receive a new contract after UFC 329. The 29-year-old holds a 16-0 overall record and went 7-0 in the Octagon, with six of those seven wins coming by decision. His last fight was a unanimous decision win over John Garza on July 11.
🚨 Farid Basharat has been REMOVED from the UFC roster, per @MMAFighting
Farid (16-0) was 7-0 in the UFC, with 6 of his 7 wins coming by decision https://t.co/zfCQyExD3G
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 14, 2026
Basharat entered that fight knowing it was the last on his deal. Still, he felt confident that winning would secure his future. Before the bout, he noted, “If it were up to me, I’d re-sign straight away because ultimately the UFC is where everybody wants to be. I love being here. I enjoy fighting here on this stage. The company has always been good to me.”
The UFC told him to wait on negotiations until after the bout. “Get this fight out of the way and then we can discuss,” Faird added regarding the promotion’s stance. “For myself, I feel like I’ve already proven I belong in the UFC.”
Farid Basharat knows it’s a “gample” competing at #UFC329 with only one fight left on his #UFC contract
📰 https://t.co/9fUTMksSDs https://t.co/96DTwYVaMW
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 4, 2026
Though he won the fight, he never received a follow-up call from the promotion. He later expressed his confusion to MMA Junkie over the radio silence from the front office.
ALSO READ: Jean Silva Predicts Carlos Prates Knocks Out Islam Makhachev in Potential Title Fight
“Surely, if there are 70 bantamweights on the roster, I’m on the higher end in terms of entertainment, quality, and what I bring. It’s worth keeping me around. I think I tick all the boxes. I’m not sure what else could be required of me,” Farid said.
In August, his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, pushed for a new contract but received no positive response. Farid originally earned his spot with the promotion in 2022 by defeating Allan Begosso by unanimous decision on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Inside the Octagon, he went on to beat Jean Matsumoto, Chris Gutierrez and Taylor Lapilus. By the time news broke of his removal from the roster, he had climbed to the No. 9 spot on the Meta Rankings.
ALSO READ: Dana White Fires Back at Alex Pereira: “I’ve Never Told DC to Say Anything”
His older brother Javid already moved to the PFL after Dana White’s organization chose not to renew his contract following a win over Gianni Vazquez in February. It remains to be seen if Farid will follow in his brother’s footsteps into the same promotion.
