Joe Rogan Rips UFC for Releasing Farid Basharat

Joe Rogan says the UFC made a mistake by releasing Farid Basharat despite the bantamweight's perfect record, and he is publicly pushing back on the promotion's decision.

Basharat was cut by the UFC after going 7-0 inside the Octagon and 16-0 as a professional. The release has left Basharat, by his own description, bewildered, and it has prompted Rogan to speak out on his show against the move. Rogan argued the UFC should not be releasing winning fighters over concerns about their style, pushing back on any suggestion that an undefeated roster member should be let go for being too cautious or too hard to finish.

Why Did the UFC Cut an Undefeated Fighter?

UFC president Dana White has not laid out a detailed public explanation for releasing a fighter with a spotless 7-0 Octagon record. White has offered only general reasoning for the decision, without spelling out specific criteria Basharat failed to meet. That lack of a clear explanation is part of what has fueled Rogan's frustration, since a 16-0 record is normally the kind of resume that gets a fighter a longer runway, not a release.

What This Means for Basharat's Career

Basharat now becomes one of the more unusual free agents in recent memory, a fighter with zero professional losses who is no longer under UFC contract. Promotions looking to add a genuinely undefeated bantamweight will have an easy time pointing to the 16-0 mark, even if the UFC apparently valued finishing ability or crowd appeal over the unblemished record. Where Basharat lands next, and how quickly, will say a lot about whether rival organizations view his style as a problem or an opportunity to scoop up a perfect record on the cheap.

Betting Angle

There is no current UFC fight or odds line tied to Basharat since he is off the roster, but his situation is worth watching for bettors who track undefeated prospects moving between promotions. A fighter with a 16-0 record typically commands market respect wherever he resigns, and oddsmakers tend to install unbeaten fighters as favorites until proven otherwise. If Basharat surfaces with another organization, expect him to open as a favorite in his debut there regardless of the questions about his style that apparently contributed to the UFC's decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the UFC release Farid Basharat?

Dana White has only offered general reasoning for releasing Farid Basharat, who was 7-0 in the UFC and 16-0 overall, without detailing specific criteria he failed to meet.

What did Joe Rogan say about Farid Basharat's release?

Joe Rogan publicly disagreed with the UFC's decision to cut Farid Basharat, arguing the promotion should not release winning, undefeated fighters.

What is Farid Basharat's professional MMA record?

Farid Basharat was 16-0 as a professional and 7-0 in the UFC at the time of his release from the promotion.