The UFC’s heavyweight division is in arguably its worst state in history, but that didn’t stop the promotion from making a perplexing decision that made the news rounds on Thursday, July 31.
According to multiple reports, the UFC parted ways with 33-year-old Slovakian heavyweight contender Martin Buday. Buday fought out his contract with a unanimous decision win over Marcus Buchecha at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26.
Buday took to social media to confirm the news.
Buday moved up to No. 12 in the promotion’s rankings with the win and ran his record to 16-2 overall and 7-1 with the UFC, but the decision-makers still went another direction.
Predictably, many in the MMA universe took to social media to question the move made by Dana White and Co.
Setanta Sports social media manager Giorgi Kokiashvili called the move “insane.”
Tapology’s Marcel Dorff called White out for making a move that contradicts his supposed desire to add heavyweights to the roster.
Popular MMA social media account ACD MMA says the UFC heavyweight division is on life support.
Buday could be a prime candidate to sign with the Professional Fighters League. If he goes that route, he could even find himself in a position to face someone like Francis Ngannou down the road. That fight would likely pay him more than he’s made in all of his fights with the UFC combined.
Buday’s win in Abu Dhabi was his third straight victory. His only loss with the UFC came at the hands of No. 11 Shamil Gaziev in December 2023 at UFC 296. Before that, he smashed his way onto the UFC’s roster on the Contender Series in October 2021 when he scored a first-round KO win over Lorenzo Hood.
He then won three consecutive decisions over Chris Barnett, Lukasz Brzeski, and Jake Collier before securing a first-round finish over Josh Parisian in August 2023.
While Buday is not the kind of fighter who pops off the screen or who has had a myriad of spectacular finishes to his credit, he’s a proven winner. Even more puzzling is the UFC dropping a heavyweight who’s only 33. That’s very young for the division, considering many fight into their 40s.
While there could be other elements behind the scenes that many are unaware of, there’s also the possibility that the UFC is simply clearing spots for a new crop of heavyweights. As we sit on the cusp of another season of Contender Series, which kicks off in August, the UFC is looking for the next group of fighters who can carry divisions.
Clearly, Buday was seen as expendable.
