‘What are people even fighting for?’: Fans react to ranked fighter not being re-signed, biggest MMA stories of the week
#JusticeForBuday.
OK, the hashtag hasn’t exactly swept over social media (yet), but many fans were left confused, bewildered, and angry (fine, that last one was probably just me) at the news that UFC heavyweight Martin Buday wasn’t re-signed despite beating the highly touted Marcus Buchecha last weekend, putting together a three-fight win streak, and owning an overall UFC record of 7-1. He was even ranked, coming in at No. 12 on the official charts!
It’s unlikely that Buday’s absence makes the slightest dent in the UFC’s bottom line—especially with a slew of Contender Series contracts about to be handed out over the next few months—but it still stinks that a 33-year-old in a division in desperate need of competent athletes can be let go just like that. The UFC is supposed to be where the best fight, right? And Buday is pretty good.
Check out the best reader comments to Buday’s departure below (and let’s get this hashtag trending!) plus more reactions to the week’s biggest stories.
Luke Rockhold: Bare-knuckle boxing ‘a dumbass sport’ all about who’s ‘willing to lose their face first for f*cking nothing’
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold took a few shots at bare-knuckle boxing, drawing a response from BKFC and combat sports fans quick to ridicule his take.
Tom Aspinall slams Michael Chandler for ‘bad fight IQ,’ Chandler responds
Maybe Michael Chandler should have left Tom Aspinall’s comments alone, because he tried to compare Aspinall chasing Jon Jones to himself chasing Conor McGregor... and it did not go well.
Khalil Rountree reveals real reason UFC abandoned new glove design
The UFC’s attempt to change up the glove game went horribly awry and according to Khalil Rountree, it was for a mundane reason.
In other news...
- Max Holloway doesn’t expect to be back before the end of the year.
- Speaking of Holloway, an amateur fighter attempted his signature point-down and it did NOT go well.
- Dan Hooker isn’t feeling the love from the UFC right now.
- Amanda Nunes wants to fight Kayla Harrison and get back what’s hers.
- Jon Anik suggests a rules tweak after referee Jason Herzog’s befuddling work at UFC Abu Dhabi.
- Jolie Poirier salutes her husband Dustin for his extraordinary career.
- All hail Thad Jean and Movlid Khaybulaev, the first two tournament winners of the 2025 PFL season
- Sean Brady wants to be the undisputed No. 1 contender and he’s willing to go through Shavkat Rakhmonov to do it.
- Conor McGregor is officially back in the UFC’s drug-testing pool.
- O.G. Vitor Belfort went in on influencer boxing.
- Michelle Waterson-Gomez isn’t making a comeback—but that doesn’t mean she’s stopped thinking about it.
- A Brazilian MMA fighter got his paycheck... but didn’t actually show up for the fight.
- This week’s Missed Fists was headlined by a fantastic knockout followed by a less-than-fantastic celebration.