Veteran middleweight Brad Tavares is no longer part of the UFC roster, marking the end of his remarkable 15-year tenure with the premier mixed martial arts promotion. UFC officials confirmed the news on Saturday, following the expiration of Tavares` most recent fight contract.
While it`s possible that Tavares could eventually negotiate a new deal and return to the octagon, for the time being, he has been removed from the active roster status as he is currently out of contract.
Should he not re-sign, Tavares concludes his time with the UFC as one of its most enduring veterans. He first joined the promotion in 2010 with an undefeated 5-0 record and leaves with a professional record of 21 wins and 10 losses.
In his recent outings, Tavares holds a 2-2 record across his last four fights. This includes significant victories over former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman and grappling specialist Gerald Meerschaert, with the win against Meerschaert coming in April.
The 37-year-old fighter, originally from Hawaii and now residing in Las Vegas, has faced a challenging list of opponents throughout his career. This includes competing against four individuals who held or would go on to hold the UFC middleweight championship: Chris Weidman, current champion Dricus du Plessis, Israel Adesanya, and Robert Whittaker.
The future for Tavares is uncertain. It remains to be seen whether he will reach a new agreement to rejoin the UFC or explore opportunities with other fighting organizations. As of now, his lengthy run with the UFC has concluded, and he enters free agency.
