The UFC are cuttin ties with one of their most promising prospects, according to Dana White.
With Ryan Bader looking likely to go to Bellator, the last thing the UFC’s light heavyweight division needed was to lose another ranked fighter, particularly one that caught the eye of the next title challenger to Daniel Cormier’s throne.
“Besides DC, the one guy that has my attention is – what’s his name – Misha mishka? Yeah, that dude’s a beast. I like his style and he’s built like a brick house, you know what I mean? I think his ass is gangster.”
The man whose name Anthony Johnson was struggling to pronounce on a recent episode of the MMA Hour was Misha Cirkonov. While fans were hoping the Canadian fighter would be swiftly re-signed by the UFC after his contract ended and he was removed from the official rankings, it would take a minor miracle for that to happen.
No longer under contract https://t.co/AwQYFb9qt4
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 2, 2017
Cirkunov is undefeated in the UFC, with all of those victories coming by way of finish. He is riding an eight-fight win-streak and with the world’s largest fight promotion lacking contenders in the their 205 lb division, many saw Cirkunov as a fighter who could be challenging for a title before the year’s end.
However, Dana White confirmed to The Sports Network that the promotion has walked away from contract negotiations with Cirkunov after they stalled. He fired a bullet straight to the back of the head of any speculation that he may re-sign by announcing that he’s done with Cirkunov.
“I met with Misha and his wife, good people and everything else, but he ended up really flaking out on the deal. So I’m not interested.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m done. He knows I’m done. You’ll see him somewhere, but it won’t be here.”
Unsurprisingly, the news hasn’t gone down well with fight fans.
https://twitter.com/chocheech/status/830314895405174785
The @ufc not re-signing Misha Cirkunov just shows how much they do not care about their talent! man, I will start watching Bellator #MMA
— Morad Elshehabi (@moradsays) February 11, 2017
Wow Dana says it himself. Cirkunov is not coming back to the UFC. Could be a big one for Bellator. https://t.co/VILE5CzVfv
— MMAGuy (@MMA__Guy) February 11, 2017
Why is the UFC letting everyone leave? Now Cirkunov? 205 sucks now they lose him and Bader?
— The Bear Jew (@LanceFischel5) February 11, 2017
If the UFC doesn't re-sign Cirkunov, they might as well blow up the 205-division. https://t.co/aTS2IJvh3L
— MFaler (@MFaler22) February 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/FurysFightPicks/status/830255966025302020
Pretty disappointing development with Cirkunov. Awesome talent and underrated personality. Maybe they'll work it out, hopefully https://t.co/frBkgZPNhU
— TheAkosombo🐼 (@theakosombo) February 11, 2017
If the UFC doesn't see value in Misha Cirkunov, I don't know what they're looking for in fighters.
— Ewan Ross (@Mentoch) February 11, 2017
Misha Cirkunov isn't going to re-sign with the UFC!?!? Damn, that fuckin sucks.
— Manny Terrazas (@TickDomin8er) February 11, 2017
