Post-UFC Fight Night 55: On the Chopping Block

guto-inocenteUFC Fight Night 55 was live from the Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia this past Friday night with 11 scheduled bouts. All 11 bouts resulted in finishes for the first time in modern UFC history, and it was all live on UFC Fight Pass. Now with the solid night of scraps behind us, let’s take a look at which UFC Fight Night 55 fighters we may no longer see compete inside the Octagon… ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK: Vagner Rocha After being released from the UFC nearly three years ago, the Brazilian posted a four-fight winning streak on the regional circuit which earned him another shot inside the Octagon. Unfortunately, he came up short and I feel this may be a one and done deal for the veteran. Being finished by the youngest fighter in the promotion makes me think the chances of seeing him again are not very good, especially at 155 pounds. I think he will either drop back down to featherweight or be released from his contract. Guto Inocente Inocente is now 0-2 inside the Octagon, suffering first round finishes in both contests. He was knocked out by Derrick Lewis in the first round of action in his promotional debut, then at Friday night’s UFC Fight Night 55 in Australia, he was submitted by native Aussie Anthony Perosh. Inocente once had a lot of hype but he has been dealt a bad hand with a series of injuries that seem to have changed him as a fighter. The potential he once had, he has not lived up to, and being finished by an underdog like Perosh proved that. The only reason I could see the UFC keeping Inocente around and giving him another shot at 205-pounds is because the division is razor thin. However, realistically, he should be cut, as he is not currently a UFC-caliber light heavyweight. He needs to hit the regional circuit and prove his worth there, possibly with RFA or TitanFC. Jumabieke Tuerxun Tuerxun made his promotional debut as an undefeated fighter at 17-0 but has dropped all three of his UFC bouts, so I expect he will shortly be released from his contract. He dropped his first fight to fellow promotional newcomer Mark Eddiva, then in his second bout he took on Leandro Issa and was getting the better of the Brazilian until getting caught in an armbar in the third frame. In his last outing at this past Friday night’s UFC Night Night 55 in Australia, he took on Marcus Brimage and was knocked out in highlight-reel fashion in the very first round of action. The only reason I could see the UFC keeping him around is to put him on a future China card, as they are lacking in Chinese fighters. That said, part of me thinks they paired him up with Brimage to send him packing, while giving the “Bama Beast” his first win at 135 pounds.

Written by Gabe Killian

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