The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was in Kansas City, MO for the first time in promotional history last Saturday (April 15, 2017) with UFC on FOX 24: Johnson vs. Reis. It was an entertaining night of scraps, and with the action now in our rear view, let’s take a look at which of the evening’s competitors we may no longer see going to work inside the Octagon…
ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK
Bobby Green
Green returned from an extended layoff following a first-round knockout loss against Dustin Poirier to take on Rashid Magomedov, and he ended up losing a razor thin split decision. The setback now puts Green on a three-fight deficit, which began with a unanimous-decision loss to Edson Barboza. Due to the three-fight skid, I think there is a fair chance Green could be getting released from the UFC, however, I believe that would be a mistake by the promotion. He always shows up to fight and puts on on a scrap, win or lose. I would like to see him get another crack, but I think it is 50/50 whether that will happen or not.
Louis Smolka
Smolka came up short in a unanimous decision loss to Tim Elliott, but he took home $50,000 for “Fight of the Night” for his efforts. It wasn’t completely a bad night for him, but fact of the matter is he is now on a three-fight losing streak and at risk of getting cut by the promotion. He is likely expecting the best, as his teammate Russell Doane is on a four-fight losing streak in the UFC and has another fight booked. I would not be surprised to see Smolka get released, but I think it is more than likely that they will keep him around, probably for the same reason I think they are keeping Doane — they want Hawaiian fighters for when they make their inaugural trip to the Islands.
