The UFC has made an unexpected roster decision, parting company with rising bantamweight contender Farid Basharat despite his impressive unbeaten record in professional mixed martial arts.
The 29 year old fighter leaves the organisation with a perfect 16 wins from 16 professional appearances, including seven consecutive victories inside the UFC octagon.
According to MMA Fighting, Basharat completed his existing agreement following his July triumph over John Garza. However, the promotion decided against offering him another contract, bringing his successful UFC journey to an unexpected conclusion.
Basharat established himself as a promising competitor in the bantamweight division through consistent performances against respected opponents. His impressive victories over Jean Matsumoto, Chris Gutierrez and Taylor Lapilus demonstrated his ability to compete against experienced fighters.
His UFC career began after securing an opportunity through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022. From there, he steadily climbed the competitive 135 pound division, eventually earning recognition among the organisation’s ten highest ranked bantamweights.
Despite his achievements, Basharat now enters the free agent market, allowing him to explore opportunities with other major MMA organisations. A possible UFC return remains an option, although there is currently no confirmation of future negotiations.
Interestingly, Farid is not the only member of his family to experience a similar departure. His older brother, Javid Basharat, previously left the UFC following a victory and subsequently signed with the Professional Fighters League.
The decision has drawn attention because undefeated competitors with established rankings are valuable assets in professional MMA.
For Basharat, the immediate priority will be determining his next career move while maintaining the momentum built throughout his professional journey.
With his flawless record intact, the talented bantamweight remains an intriguing prospect for promotions seeking proven competitors capable of challenging elite opposition
