Pink Slip Saturdays is a new addition to MMARatings.net, where Adam will write about five fighters on each card who could literally be fighting for their job, given UFC president Dana White’s recent comments about cutting 100 fighters from the roster.
Opponent at UFC on FUEL TV 10: Rafael Cavalcante
MMA Record: 14-3, 2 NC (5-3, 2 NC UFC)
Why he could be cut: Thiago Silva was once one of the most feared light heavyweights on the planet. But after testing positive for banned substances in two of his last three fights, Silva is absolutely at risk of being cut by the only promotion he’s fought for since 2007 if he loses to Rafael Cavalcante this Saturday night.
Although he started off his career 13-0, Silva has since gone 1-3, 2 NC over his last six fights. Sure, they were fights against some of the UFC light heavyweight division’s top guys, but it doesn’t matter. With a win over Keith Jardine in 2009 being his last official victory in four years, and coming off a six-month suspension for marijuana, Silva no doubt needs to beat Cavalcante to keep his job with the UFC.
Opponent at UFC on FUEL TV 10: Mizuto Hirota
MMA Record: 10-6 (1-1 UFC)
Why he could be cut: Rodrigo Damm is a very skilled fighter, but you wouldn’t know it judging from his mediocre 10-6 record, which includes an awful 2-5 record over his last seven bouts. Although Damm was quoted this week as saying he felt he only needed a good performance and not necessarily a win to remain with the UFC, I think he’s mistaken, as I believe he’s in a must-win situation.
Although many believed that Damm beat Antonio Carvalho in his last bout at UFC 154, the judges awarded the fight to Carvalho, who was recently released by the UFC. So it makes sense that they’d cut Damm too if he loses to Mizuto Hirota this weekend, and honestly, I’d say he’s lucky he’s even getting another fight at all.
Mizuto Hirota
Opponent at UFC on FUEL TV 10: Rodrigo Damm
MMA Record: 14-6-1 (0-1 UFC)
Why he could be cut: Mizuto Hirota is actually a pretty decent fighter and was very underrated coming into the UFC, but in his promotional debut at UFC on FUEL TV 8, he laid an absolute stinker against Rani Yahya in front of his hometown fans in Japan. Now he’s on a two-fight losing streak, and therefore needs to beat Rodrigo Damm to keep his job with the UFC.
Sure, Hirota may have been screwed by the judges in Strikeforce last year against Pat Healy, but the UFC doesn’t care about that when it comes to cutting guys. They look at wins and losses, and if Hirota loses a third-straight fight this weekend, he’s gone.
Opponent at UFC on FUEL TV 10: Karlos Vemola
MMA Record: 5-1 (0-1 UFC)
Why he could be cut: Caio Magalhaes is definitely one of the worst fighters in the UFC middleweight division. I mean, this is the same guy who got beat up by Buddy Roberts, who himself is at the lower end of the division, and that’s really saying something.
No wonder Magalhaes gave UFC matchmaker a hug at the weigh-ins, because this is a guy who should have never been signed to the UFC in the first place, and he’ll need to take out Vemola if he wants to ever get another bout inside the Octagon.
Opponent at UFC on FUEL TV 10: Antonio Braga Neto
MMA Record: 17-9 (0-0 UFC)
Why he could be cut: Anthony Smith is definitely an exciting fighter, but at the end of the day, the sport of MMA is all about wins and losses, and Smith’s pro record of 17-9 is not good at all. Sure, he’s young and has some potential, but it’s clear that he doesn’t have a complete mixed martial arts game, and being exciting might not be enough to keep him around past his UFC debut if he loses.
Coming off of a loss in his last appearance in Strikeforce, Smith needs to beat Antonio Braga Neto if he hopes to get another fight in the Octagon. Because with the promotion always looking to trim fat from the roster, a 17-10 fighter with a two-fight losing streak would certainly be at risk of being released.
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UFC on FUEL TV 10: Nogueira vs. Werdum is due to take place on June 8, 2013 at Ginásio Paulo Sarasate in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC on FUEL TV 10 will be.
Dont forget to mention that he "won" 2 of those last 3 loses,
only really losing to Gus who he took to a decision.
I could see him being cut for being an irresponsible liability who cant pass drug tests,
but seeing as the UFC appears to be enthusiastic about steroids now,
apparently he was just ahead of his time.