UFC Parts Ways with Askar Askarov, Numerous Other Fighters

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has granted Askar Askarov’s request.

Shortly after expressing his desire to be released in an Instagram post, Askarov and the UFC have parted ways. Twitter account UFC Roster Watch first brought word of Askarov’s release, and it has since been confirmed by multiple outlets.

“Due to my return being delayed due to medical reasons and being my last fight under my contract, I asked UFC to release me,” Askarov wrote on Instagram last week. “To which, I received a positive response. First, let's put our health in order, and then we will see what and how.”

Regarded as one of the top contenders in the flyweight division, Askarov has pulled out of proposed bouts against Brandon Royval on Oct. 15 and against Alex Perez on July 16. In his most recent appearance, the 30-year-old Dagestani dropped a unanimous verdict to Kai Kara France at UFC on ESPN 33 on March 26. His resume includes notable triumphs over the likes of Joseph Benavidez, Alexandre Pantoja and Tim Elliott.

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Askarov is the most notable of a slew of roster cutdowns made by the Las Vegas-based promotion. The following fighters are also no longer with the UFC: Misha Cirkunov, Louis Cosce, Krzysztof Jotko, Nick Maximov, Magomed Mustafaev, Charlie Ontiveros, Jesse Ronson, Cameron VanCamp and Darian Weeks.

It is not clear if those mentioned above were released from their contracts or simply not re-signed by the organization.