UFC 166: The cut list
An unfortunate part of fighting in the UFC is that there will come a time in each fighter’s career that…
An unfortunate part of fighting in the UFC is that there will come a time in each fighter’s career that he may be fighting for his job. Usually it comes when a fighter is on a losing streak. At UFC 166 several fighters are on the likely to be cut list with a loss:
George Sotiropoulos – Despite coaching TUF Smashes, George’s career is headed downhill. After winning seven in a row to start his UFC career, he has now lost three in a row. He was knocked out in the last two, and looked particularly chinny against Ross Pearson. At 36 years old, he might just not be cut out for the rigors of the UFC anymore, and Noons hits just as hard as Pearson and Dos Anjos before him. My guess is that he would retire if he lost, but I’m not sure. Either way, I think his career is on the line Saturday night.
K.J. Noons – Like Sotiropoulos, he has lost three bouts in a row. He’s 1-5 in his last six. He’s always exciting and doesn’t get finished, but he needs wins. He’s also not exactly cheap for a lightweight, making in the 41k/41k range. Only one of those losses came in the UFC, but it’s still vitally important that Noons wins this bout or he’s probably looking for work somewhere else.
Dustin Pague – I’m not sure how he survived the last round of cuts to be honest. He has lost three in a row and is 1-4 overall in the UFC. A fourth loss in a row is almost a guaranteed dismissal.
Jeremy Larsen – He’s 0-2 in the UFC and was knocked out in both of his fights. I can’t see any reason why they’d keep him around if he lost a third in a row.
