Both Seth Petruzelli and Gerald Harris Released from the UFC

You have to win to stay in the ufc. It’s a fact that more and more MMA fighters are having to come to grips with. In particular, two UFC fighters recently received the axe thanks to their recent losing performances. In one case, it was mostly to be expected. However, one firing took many by surprise and raises questions on whether or not the UFC is holding fighters to too high of a standard, even for them. Here are all the details.

First up is Seth Petruzelli, who is now no longer a UFC employee according to Five Ounces of Pain. Petruzelli is coming off of back-to-back losses in the UFC, which have sunk his record to 12-6. Petruzelli had won four straight fights leading up to this next shot in the UFC, including his notorious victory over Kimbo Slice. In four attempts in the Octagon, Petruzelli was never able to record his first win.

Next up on the firing range is Gerald Harris. According to MMA Weekly, Harris was released due to his losing performance at UFC 123 to newcomer Maiquel Falcao. The shocking thing about this release is that Harris had posted three straight wins, all of them finishes, before mixing it up with Falcao. I personally stated that before this loss to Falcao, it seemed as if the UFC was building up Harris as the next big monster Middleweight. Obviously that is no longer the case.

To be completely honest, I think the UFC was simply looking for someone to blame for the abysmal third round of the Falcao/Harris fight. While I admit that it was a horrendously boring round, I disagree with Harris being let go. I can even admit that Harris put on a terrible performance throughout all three rounds. But, as so many others are keen to point out, the man was 3-0 with three straight finishes before he stumbled off the path. Surely a momentary setback isn’t something worth firing over, given the man’s track record of exciting finishes and engaging fights. Whatever happened to second chances?

Seth Petruzelli’s release surprises absolutely no one, however. Now more than ever I feel confident in saying that Petruzelli will forever be known as “The Kimbo Killer”. And is that really such a bad thing? It sure beats “the man who never found a way to win in the UFC”. Being famous is great, but sometimes you’ll have to make do with infamous. At least people will remember you. And I don’t think anybody will forget the epic KO of Kimbo Slice and the ensuring controversies anytime soon.

I’m honestly wondering if the UFC is beginning to view their fighters in too harsh of a light. I can see why cuts need to be made, given the influx of talent that will occur when the UFC/WEC merger goes through, but surely cutting a man with a record of 3-1 isn’t the wisest of moves. As the UFC moves forward into the future, I look forward to stars new and old continuing to compete at a high level in order to secure their position in the world’s largest MMA company. But I have to wonder: at one point does the UFC start becoming so competitive, at one point does a spot in the UFC become so coveted and jealously guarded, that it begins to put an unfair amount of pressure on the UFC’s athletes? Because I honestly feel like we just might be approaching that point within the next several years.

And what about you, fans and friends? Did either of these two firings catch you off-guard?