Sports · Combat Sports · 5 hrs ago
UFC releases unbeaten bantamweight Farid Basharat after contract ends
Farid Basharat says he has left the UFC after the promotion did not renew his contract.
The 29-year-old Afghan-English bantamweight had a 16-0 professional record, with seven wins in the UFC.
His last fight was a decision win over John Garza in July at UFC 329.
Basharat said he was not offered a new contract or an opponent after that bout, and said he had never turned down a fight in the UFC.
He also said the promotion was heading in a different direction and that his departure was not about his ability as a fighter.
His exit leaves the unbeaten fighter free to compete elsewhere.
The sources give no details of his next move.
Farid Basharat confirmed he has parted ways with the UFC after the promotion did not offer him a new contract.
He said he had completed his contract and had not been offered a new deal or an opponent since his last fight.
Basharat has a 16-0 professional record and went 7-0 in the UFC.
His last fight was a decision win over John Garza at UFC 329 in July.
The 29-year-old said his departure was not about his fighting ability and criticised the direction of the UFC.
- Who
- Farid Basharat, a 29-year-old bantamweight.
- What
- He confirmed he is no longer with the UFC after completing his contract.
- When
- He confirmed his departure on Thursday; the articles were published on October 15, 2026.
- Where
- The UFC.
- Why
- Basharat said he was not offered a new contract or an opponent after his last fight. He said the promotion was heading in a different direction.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Basharat defeated John Garza by decision at UFC 329.
Reports emerged that the UFC had decided against re-signing Basharat.
Basharat posted a statement confirming he had left the UFC.
- Professional record
- 16-0
- UFC record
- 7-0
- Last opponent
- John Garza
- Last fight
- Decision win at UFC 329 in July
- Age
- 29
4 sources
16-0 Farid Basharat says the UFC ‘isn’t what it used to be’ in first statement since his release
F. Basharat fails to land new UFC contract despite perfect record
【UFC】朝倉海参戦中のバンタム級に衝撃「マジかよ」 全勝ランカーがまさか「何があったんや」「RIZINに来ないか？」
What people are saying
The news is confirmed, I am no longer with the UFC
I want to clarify that since my last fight, I was never offered a contract or an opponent. I waited, but it never came.
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.
Posts on X
🚨 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