News Summary
The UFC has announced the removal of four fighters from its roster as it prepares for its first event in Qatar. Irina Alekseeva, Andre Muniz, Justin Tafa, and Brogan Walker have been cut due to recent performance struggles. This decision comes ahead of the historic fight night in Doha, highlighting the organization’s expansion strategy in the Middle East. Fans are eagerly anticipating the event, which will feature notable bouts and new talent.
Doha, Qatar – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has made significant roster changes ahead of its much-anticipated debut event in Qatar. Four fighters have been officially cut from the UFC roster as the promotion gears up for its closing series of events in 2025, which will culminate in a historic fight night in Doha on November 22.
The fighters who have been excised from the UFC roster include Irina Alekseeva, Andre Muniz, Justin Tafa, and Brogan Walker. Each of these fighters faced challenges in their recent bouts that ultimately led to their removal from the organization.
Irina Alekseeva’s journey in the UFC concluded after her submission loss to Bia Mesquita during UFC Rio on October 11. This defeat marked her third consecutive loss in the organization, following her initial victory over Stephanie Egger in her debut. Alekseeva exits the UFC with a record characterized by struggle, managing to win just once amid three losses.
Similarly, Justin Tafa has not stepped into the octagon since February, when he faced a quick stoppage against Tallison Teixeira at UFC 312, losing within a mere 35 seconds. Tafa’s UFC tenure has been marred by inconsistency, capped off with two withdrawals from scheduled fights, including clashes at UFC 317 and UFC Perth. His final statistics in the promotion are a 4-5 record along with one No Contest.
Brogan Walker, a former contestant on Season 30 of The Ultimate Fighter, encountered a challenging return to the octagon in 2023, suffering defeats in both of her fights after a lengthy two-year layoff. In her latest bout, she lost a decision to Veronica Hardy at UFC 320, contributing to her exit from the company.
Lastly, Andre Muniz ends his UFC career with a solid 10-fight stint, recording a 6-4 outcome overall. His last appearance resulted in a defeat against Brendan Allen in 2023, further complicating an already tough period marked by a 1-4 record in his final five fights.
The UFC’s event in Doha is particularly noteworthy as it signifies the organization’s first foray into Qatar, marking a milestone event for regional fans and USC’s ongoing expansion in the Middle East. This growth strategy underlines the UFC’s goal of extending its reach on a global scale, with Dana White highlighting Qatar as a new key location for future events.
As the UFC Doha event approaches, fans are encouraged to sign up for ticket access through UFC.com/Qatar. The event will not only feature the debut of fighters Marek Bujlo and Jose Luiz, who both come with promising records, but also a crucial middleweight bout between Ryan Loder and Ismail Naurdiev. Both fighters are eager to enhance their standings, further elevating the stakes for this globally significant UFC event.
The upcoming series of events began with UFC Perth on September 27, 2025, and will continue until the concluding fight night in Doha, making for a thrilling lineup for MMA enthusiasts ahead of the promotion’s novel chapter in Qatar.
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Additional Resources
- SI.com: UFC Headliner and TUF Finalist Roster Cuts
- Wikipedia: Mixed Martial Arts
- MMA Junkie: TUF 33 Winner Morales Meets Schnell
- Google Search: UFC Doha
- UFC.com: UFC’s Historic Fight Night Debut in Qatar
- Google Scholar: UFC Event Qatar
- Sherdog: Top UFC Qatar Lineup
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ultimate Fighting Championship
- MMA Junkie: UFC Vegas 111 Adds Medic vs. Salikhov
- Google News: UFC Roster Cuts
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