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 FOX 8: Mac Danzig
MMA Record: 30-12-2, 1 NC (11-8 UFC)
Why he could be cut: Guillard has been one of the most exciting lightweights in the UFC for nearly a decade, but as the loser of four of his last five fights, he’s likely on thin ice with the promotion if he doesn’t get a win this weekend.
Because of his name value and his ability to deliver fights the fans want to see, it’s possible Guillard can stave off a pink slip with an exciting loss to Danzig, but if he wants to make sure he’s still employed by the UFC after the event if over, then he needs to beat Danzig, and he needs to beat him in emphatic fashion.
Opponent at UFC on FOX 8: Melvin Guillard
MMA Record: 21-10-1 (5-6 UFC)
Why he could be cut: Like Guillard, Danzig is an exciting fighter and has been involved in some memorable fights over the years, but the former TUF winner has lost three of his last five fights and he’s likely staring at the unemployment line with a loss to Guillard on Saturday night. Even though he’s a fun guy to watch compete, the UFC’s lightweight division is completely stacked, and a fighter who is facing the prospect of seven losses in his last 10 bouts is likely going to be the first guy to go, even if it’s a long-time vet like Danzig.
Opponent at UFC on FOX 8: Ed Herman
MMA Record: 10-3 (0-0 UFC)
Why he could be cut: Smith is lucky to have gotten a fight in the UFC because he was one of the fighters who lost at the Strikeforce Finale and Zuffa could have easily cut him after he was submitted by Tim Kennedy.
However, they’re giving him one more chance inside the Octagon to stick around in the big show, but he’ll need to defeat Herman if he wants to do that. With a middleweight division that is full of fighters with mediocre records, Smith has to have a stand-out performance this weekend if he wants to make some noise at 185 pounds – and save his job at the same time.
Opponent at UFC on FOX 8: Justin Salas
MMA Record: 30-13-1 (3-5 UFC)
Why he could be cut: To be honest I wasn’t even aware that Riley was still on the UFC’s active roster until he was booked for this fight with Salas, but you can’t blame me for not knowing, as Riley hasn’t fought in the UFC in nearly two years since breaking his jaw against Tony Ferguson at UFC 135.
A long-time veteran of the sport, Riley is always a game opponent and he’s always involved in fun fights, but with a 3-6 record in the Octagon looming with a loss to Salas, Riley absolutely needs to win this weekend if he wants to stick around in the big show for longer than he already has.
Opponent at UFC on FOX 8: Yaotzin Meza
MMA Record: 7-4 (1-3 UFC)
Why he could be cut: Albert is one of the most exciting bantamweights in the UFC, but with a 1-3 record and the loser of three straight matches, it’s kind of a surprise that he’s lasted as long as he has already, even if those losses all came against top guys.
After missing weight for this fight with Meza, Albert can’t just be exciting this weekend if he wants to guarantee he still has a job on Monday morning – he has to win, because if he loses his fourth straight fight, the UFC won’t be able to justify keeping him on the roster any longer.
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UFC on Fox 8 is due to take place on July 27, 2013 at the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington.
Click the stars to rate how good you think UFC on Fox 8 will be.
