Four-time UFC title challenger Joel Romero has been released from contract

“Soldier of God” Joel Romero Seven years after the promotion, no contract was signed with UFC.

Romero’s longtime manager Malki Kawa has confirmed the release of Middleweight for the MMA Fighting on Friday evening. ESPN.com.

According to ESPN, Romero has three fights left in his contract. “The 43-year-old Cuban is now ready to go and resume his career, and as we speak we are already talking about other promotions,” Kawa said. It was not immediately clear what led to the release of Romero.

Romero, considered one of the most valiant fighters in the octagon, went to the UFC after a job in the now useless Strike Force, which was captured by the UFC in 2011. Between 2013 and 2016, the former champ’s flying knee was covered by a knockout Chris Weidman. The show earned Romero both a show of night bonuses and a shot at the interim champion. Robert Whittaker.

Before being declared the winner of “The Reaper” by unanimous decision, Romero and Whittaker fought five rounds. Romero bounced back with a knockout victory Luke Rockhold In another interim title match – Whittaker was later promoted to controversial champion – but was disqualified for the title when he lost weight.

Romero got another shot at the belt and Whittaker, but again came in heavy for the title bout and was ineligible to win the gold medal. Whittaker still won the fight, which was the title UFC 225, By partition decision.

Since then the scorecards have shown no mercy towards Romero Paulo Costa And current champ Israel Adesanya In his second bid for the controversial belt. Romero got the title shot when Costa underwent forced muscle surgery and was unable to challenge Adesanya.