There was surprise earlier this week when it was learned that the UFC had cut Yoel Romero. “Soldier of God” was ranked #5 in the middleweight division, and coming off a title shot decision loss to Israel Adesanya. Romero is 1-4 his last five fights, but three of the four losses were in title fights, and two of the three were controversial. The sole loss that was not in a title fight won Fight of the Night. However, at the UFC on ESPN 19 post-fight press conference, league president Dana White said it was only the beginning of cutting close to 10% of the roster.

We’re gonna go through some serious cuts here at the end of the year, said White, as transcribed by Ryan Harkness for MMA Mania. Probably gonna have 60 cuts coming up before the first of the year. And Yoel has lost four of his last five, he’s 44 years old. Our roster is very inflated right now. So we’re gonna have some big cuts coming before the end of the year.

White was asked if the cut was due to an opaque reason like a USADA violation.

Nothing like that, replied White. We’re just literally starting to go through the list and, you know, he’s 44, has lost four of his last five, and these are the tough decisions you’ve got to make.

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In August White had noted that the new talent coming in from his Contender Series would mean cuts were coming. Season 4 of DWCS saw 37 fighters signed. So without an expansion in the number of UFC events, a like number of fighters have to go. In 2019, the UFC held 42 events. This year, in part due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, there will be 41 events. Having less events, and the lack of revenue from a live gate for most of the year, means cuts are coming fast.

“It’s all a numbers game, explained White in August. I mean, we have to give everybody three fights a year. So, you can only have so many people under contract.”