Farid Basharat Fires Back at Dana White Over UFC Exit

Farid Basharat is disputing Dana White's explanation for why the UFC let him walk, saying he never turned down a fight and that the promotion is putting out a sloppier product by releasing him.

The undefeated bantamweight, who went 16-0 overall and 7-0 inside the Octagon, was not offered a new contract after UFC Edmonton. White suggested afterward that fighters in Basharat's situation sometimes get cut loose for reasons beyond their win-loss record, pointing to issues like turning down matchups or being difficult for matchmakers to work with. Basharat responded directly on Instagram, rejecting that characterization and laying out his case.

What Did Farid Basharat Say About His UFC Departure

Farid Basharat says he has accepted every fight the UFC has offered him, including bouts where the circumstances were stacked against him. He cited his 2024 win over Victor Hugo in Abu Dhabi, where Hugo missed the bantamweight limit by roughly 9.5 pounds and Basharat still went through with the fight and won. He also pointed to his 2022 Dana White's Contender Series appearance, saying he competed with a torn MCL rather than pull out.

"He kind of alluded to, maybe I was turning down fights, or maybe I was difficult to deal with," Basharat said. "I definitely didn't turn nobody down. In fact, we're talking about the same guy that, in Abu Dhabi, I fought in 2024; my opponent missed weight by 10 pounds and I still went ahead with the fight... Still put on a good show and won. In my Contender Series fight, I had a torn MCL, still went ahead with the fight... These are facts you can ask your UFC staff; you can ask the physio team."

Basharat has also argued more broadly that the UFC is diluting its own product and manufacturing a fanbase rather than building one around results, suggesting his release reflects a matchmaking approach he thinks is hurting the sport's credibility.

Why This Matters for a 16-0 Prospect

A perfect record rarely gets a fighter cut, which is exactly why Basharat's release stood out and why his pushback carries weight with fans. Going 7-0 in the UFC without a loss is a rare résumé, and bantamweight is one of the promotion's deepest and most competitive divisions, so losing an unbeaten fighter there is notable regardless of the behind-the-scenes reasoning. If Basharat lands with another promotion, bettors should expect him to open as a sizable favorite in most matchups given his finishing instincts and unbeaten mark, though his market value will hinge entirely on where he resurfaces and who he is booked against. For now, with no fight scheduled, there is no line to speak of, but Basharat's stock as a betting proposition remains high on name recognition alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the UFC release Farid Basharat?

Dana White suggested fighters like Farid Basharat are sometimes released for reasons beyond their record, such as turning down fights, but Basharat denies ever refusing a matchup and says the UFC chose not to renew his contract despite his 7-0 promotional record.

What is Farid Basharat's MMA record?

Farid Basharat is 16-0 overall in his professional MMA career and went 7-0 inside the UFC before the promotion declined to offer him a new contract.

What examples did Farid Basharat give to defend himself?

Farid Basharat pointed to his 2024 win over Victor Hugo, who missed weight by about 9.5 pounds, and his 2022 Dana White's Contender Series fight, which he competed in despite a torn MCL.