UFC Cuts Four Fighters Ahead of Doha Debut

Doha – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced the removal of four fighters from its official roster as it gears up for a series of events leading to its inaugural event in Qatar. The latest cuts include Irina Alekseeva, Andre Muniz, Justin Tafa, and Brogan Walker. These changes come just days before UFC’s significant debut in Doha, scheduled for November 22, 2025, as part of its final stretch of events in 2025.

The UFC is undertaking a nine-week series of consequential fight cards, which kicked off with UFC Perth on September 27. As it approaches the Doha event, the cuts reflect the promotion’s strategy in fine-tuning its roster in preparation for what is expected to be a landmark event in the Middle East.

Irin Alekseeva’s last match occurred on October 11 at UFC Rio, where she faced Bia Mesquita and was submitted in the second round. This defeat marked the end of her time in the UFC with a three-fight losing streak. Alekseeva, who had previously made her debut with a victory over Stephanie Egger, concludes her UFC chapter with a series of setbacks.

Justin Tafa has been absent from the octagon since February after suffering a quick defeat to Tallison Teixeira at UFC 312. In addition to his latest loss, Tafa withdrew from two scheduled fights, including a matchup at UFC 317. He departs the promotion with a record of 4-5 and one No Contest after a challenging run.

Brogan Walker, recognized for her participation in Season 30 of The Ultimate Fighter, struggled to find her rhythm in 2023, losing both her fights since returning from a two-year hiatus. Her most recent match ended in a decision loss to Veronica Hardy at UFC 320, leading to her exit from the roster.

Andre Muniz completed a notable ten-fight tenure in the UFC, ultimately holding a 6-4 record. His last fight in the promotion ended in a loss to Brendan Allen in 2023, concluding a downward trend of just one win in his last five outings.

UFC Doha will represent a significant milestone for both the UFC and fans in the region as it marks the organization’s first event in Qatar. This expansion underscores the UFC’s ambition to establish its footprint within the Middle East, a region with a growing appetite for mixed martial arts.

UFC President Dana White has consistently emphasized the importance of increasing the promotion’s presence around the globe. Qatar has been highlighted as a vital new market within this vision, enhancing the UFC’s international reach.

During the upcoming event, promising fighters Marek Bujlo and Jose Luiz will make their promotional debuts, with hopes of making a strong impact on their records. Additionally, Ryan Loder and Ismail Naurdiev are set to face off in a middleweight bout, both aiming to enhance their competitive standings.

UFC fans are encouraged to register for ticket access via the organization’s official site, UFC.com/Qatar, to attend this historic event in the heart of Doha.