Perennial UFC Flyweight Contender Jussier Formiga Released

Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel - USA TODAY Sports

125-pound mainstay, Jussier Formiga has reportedly been released from the UFC, following a recent string of three consecutive defeats.

Formiga, a perennial contender of the promotion's flyweight ranks is an eight-year veteran of the division, having joined the promotion during the year of the flyweight weight class introduction.

The American Top Team trainee has dropped his last three Octagon appearances, falling to fellow contender, Brandon 'The Assassin Baby' Moreno in a close decision loss in March at UFC Fight Night Brasília, after a second career knockout defeat to Joseph Benavidez. 

In his most recent and ultimately final Octagon walk, the renowned submission threat featured at UFC 250 in June, dropping an opening-round knockout loss to this weekend's UFC 255 flyweight title challenger, Alex Perez after a series of early, damaging calf kicks. News of Formiga's release from the UFC was first reported by Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting.

Formiga, 35, and a native of Natal in Brazil holds a 23-8 professional résumé - scoring a 9-7 record since his 2012 bow in the organization.

Revered as one of the best flyweights on the planet since his initial Octagon rise back in late 2017, Formiga has managed to notch career wins over Alexandre Pantoja, Chris Cariaso, Scott Jorgensen, Wilson Reis, Dustin Ortiz, Sergio Pettis, and in his last professional win at UFC Fight Night Nashville in March of last year, grabbed a unanimous decision over compatriot, current flyweight kingpin, Deiveson 'Deus Da Garra' Figueiredo. 

Whilst the 35-year-old has seen his time in under the UFC's banner come to a close, the list of potential suitors will surely include Scott Coker's Bellator MMA, as well as Chatri Sityodyong's ONE Championship - the latter which currently houses former flyweight titleholder, Demetrious 'Mighty Mouse' Johnson. During his stint with the UFC, Formiga was constantly linked with a pairing opposite Johnson, with slip-ups in numerous title-eliminators scuppering any sort of title challenge plans.