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Former WEC champ Jamie Varner and fellow lightweight Chris Horodecki are among the latest fighters to be dropped from the UFC’s roster after respective losses to Shane Roller and Donald Cerrone earlier this month at World Extreme Cagefighting’s final event before merging with the UFC, MMAjunkie reports.
Other recent UFC cuts include middleweight Joe Doerksen, lightweight Pat Audinwood, and featherweight Tyler Toner.
Lightweight Dustin Hazelett was also recently let go by the UFC.
For the latest UFC news and UFC rumors stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com.
Pictured: Jamie Varner
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Bellator…Strikeforce…that knocking you hear is probably opportunity…go answer the door…
;-)
Especially Jamie Varner..he would be a great acquistion for either promotion
Not so sure I agree, Varner is good don’t get me wrong, but he’s an absolutely TERRIBLE fit for Bellator. Unless he’s being brought in for a superfight one-time contender for Alvarez(which since he hasn’t won without a technicality since 2008 is unlikely), he has no place in Bellator’s format. He struggles already with repeated broken hands and feet. That happens in a tournemant format, and he’s out of the tournemant year after year.
Maybe Strikeforce is a fit, but they’ve been looking past former Zuffa employees lately in an effort to develop talent with their challengers series.
Couple that with Varner’s very poor reputation in the fight community and he may have to be out of the limelight for awhile.
Horodecki is young and didn’t look horrible against Cerrone… but he’s still a very raw talent. Most of his mistakes are rookie mistakes and with over 19 fights… you’re not a rookie anymore. He needs to drop to featherweight in all honesty.
IMO Varner would be a big name acquistion for Bellator..I think Varner would do well in the tournament also
I can clarify that a little more..
The “drama” that Varner brings hypes his fights..He is a former WEC LW champion/villain..he has had some great fights & also some great controversial fights..Basically everyone hates him…He comes off as a whiner..”My hand is broken”..”I can’t see”..”I can’t continue”
I think Bellator would be crazy not to go after this guy..they just signed a new tv deal..even if Varner struggles w Bellators style, any and every fight that he fights in for the promotion would be much anticipated by fans
The bigger issue than the drama is his injuries when it comes to bellator. You have a month between fights in the tournemant. Varner has been suspended for three months after every bout other than his last one (which was a first round submission loss), for foot or hand issues. That’s not a tournemant body.
I bet varner ends up in the MFC for a bit
I would like to see Chris Horodecki get on track and make it back to the UFC. Maybe in the late 2011 or 2012. Work hard! ;)
Horodecki is pretty young, so I’d guess that if he wants it badly enough, he’ll be back in the big show someday…
That dude needs to drop to 145 or drop his hopes of reaching the top of any division…Varner should go end his career in strikeforce cuz he’d get handled in belatorre.
In my opinion, I don’t really think cutting Chris Horodecki is right. Before, Horodecki was on a two fight win streak and was 2-1 in the WEC before fighting former champ Donald Cerrone. There’s plenty of other fighters that could be cut with the merger instead of Horodecki (Ruediger, & Aaron Riley). I think they should give him at least one more fight like against Mike Lullo or Nik Lentz or something. All in my opinion though.
Or, like jazz said, he should probably drop to 145 and give him a fight there.
@jcohl
True, you control your own destiny.
I am not surprised by the Jamie Varner release, his last “win” was 5 fights ago, almost 2 years ago, and it was a controversial split decision win after 4 and 1/2 rounds (they didn’t finish the 5th round due to the knee strike).
As for Chris Horodecki, I am somewhat surprised by his release. I could see him getting another chance to stick around, but as jcohl stated above, there are plenty of other opportunities to go to so he can refine his skills, score some wins and earn his way back to the UFC if that is what he wants.
Remember also that roster space is in pretty short supply, especially at 155, with the addition of the WEC guys. Expect more cuts in the coming six months or so.
I like horodecki. good skills, solid technique, comes from a great camp, great coach..however I have to question why Tompkins told him to take it to the ground after round 1 in the Cerrone fight. Chris looked perplexed after the fight. I thought he was doing really well for himself in the standup after round 1…I never understood this. it might’ve cost him a roster spot….hopefully he’ll be back in the big show.
I thought horodecki would be signed, he’s still real young and has talent, it just needs to polished up a bit. I’m excited to see Cerrone fight with some top notch fighters. with the new lighter weights, are more japanese fighters likely to come over to the states? also, what are the chances that the UFC offer eddie alvarez a contract?
Not really sure that the UFC can offer Eddie Alvarez anything without Bellator’s consent.
Beyond that, Alvarez is a better fit for Strikeforce than the UFC IMO, as the big show has too many 155ers that Alvarez probably can’t get past…
@Marlow
Correct me if i’m wrong but I don’t think Cerrone was ever the Champion of the WEC? He fought for the belt twice but don’t remember him ever holding the title.
I don’t really think either fighter should have been cut. If anything have those two fight, and then (maybe) cut the loser? Both guys are talented and could easly put two or three wins together in there next few fights.
But then again…who am I. :)
Hope to see both guys work there way back to the promotion someday, or enjoy sucsess under a new banner. Good luck to both in the future.
Cerrone is however the reigning King of Funny Hats…
Ah true
Once again I do not have my facts completely straight haha
I was thinking cerrone beat Varner for the title
But Varner beat cerrone by split decision
Then they fought again and cerrone beat Varner
Thanks for the correction ;)
You mean to tell me your not a fan of the silliest TapouT hat ever to be seen my the human eye…? Shame on you. :)