Dana White’s ‘horrible’ verdict followed by Jairizinho Rozentruik getting cut from UFC
UFC releases top 10-ranked heavyweight and multiple headliner fame Jairzinho Rozenstruik following 'horrible' UFC Saudi Arabia fight.
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UFC released #9 ranked heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstruik after UFC Saudi Arabia (Source: IMAGO/X)
Former #9 ranked heavyweight, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, suffered a horrific lopsided decision loss at UFC Saudi Arabia. The Suriname fighter was riding a two-fight winning streak before the setback in Saudi Arabia. He lost to former UFC interim title challenger Sergei Pavlovich inside the ANB Arena in Riyadh.
Rozenstruik is no longer on the UFC active roster as of this week as per UFC Roster Watch (@UFCRosterWatch). Later, SBNation Network confirmed with sources close to the Surinamese combat sports veteran that he got the axe. Jairzinho Rozenstruik also had fights left on his current contract.
“Bigi Boy” defeated Tai Tuivasa last year on the UFC 305 PPV event main card. Before that, he swiped out Shamil Gaziev in a slow Fight Night main event last March. However, that all was to end at UFC Saudi Arabia. Pavlovich defeated Jairzinho Rozenstruik via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
❌ Fighter removed: Jairzinho Rozenstruik
— UFC Roster Watch (@UFCRosterWatch) February 3, 2025
Pavlovich snapped a two-fight skid that had followed a six-fight win streak. He lost to champ Tom Aspinall (IC) and failed to capture the substitute 265-pound belt. He then again dropped one to fellow Russian Alexander Volkov after that.
Yet, it’s top-ranking Team ATT’s Rozenstruik who sees his out. Rozenstruik (15-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) departs having headlined six UFC Fight Night events. In the stretch, he defeated the likes of Junior Dos Santos, Andrei Arlovski, and Alistair Overeem. But none of those names are gears in the current title crack. The bigger picture tells a much more detailed story.
‘Bigi Boy’ not big among the big boys at 265
Jairzinho Rozenstruik has gone up against top contenders in UFC heavyweight competition. He is, or rather was, 2-2 in his last few, ranging from a Fight Night headliner defeat to Jailton Almeida. UFC Saudi Arabia stretched on but showcased his slow running.
UFC isn’t big on the re-signing of a 36-year-old unless they can be brand-value KO artists and/or prime scramblers headhunting finishes. Rozenstruik wasn’t one anymore though. Two of his last outings were decision wins. His loss to Pavlovich was the only bout fans booed on the UFC Saudi Arabia, per CEO Dana White.
That is a serious quirk these days, with the heavyweight logjam going on. From 2023 onwards, many top names are thriving hard to match Aspinall. There’s a high chance the Brit might not get his 265-pound unification against legacy champ Jon Jones. If so, then Mick Maynard and CBO/head litigator Hunter Campbell would naturally choose the next big name.
With the curse of HW fighters scrambling slow, Almeida threw his name in the hat after that. Volkov was on a neat 4-0 win streak until a very controversial split decision to Ciryl Gane at UFC 310 PPV. Some think he still is the legit top name for Aspinall, more than Gane. Serghei Spivac and Derrick Lewis are still tests in the top 10.
Surprisingly, even Gaziev (14-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has strung up back-to-back wins and is in the running now. But, a ranked heavyweight like Rozenstruik falling behind with consecutive lackluster headliners did not prove him to be the biggest of draws. Hence, the UFC brass decided to cut ties.
Related: Jairzinho Rozenstruik Net Worth 2024: How rich is the South American UFC heavyweight star?
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