Jon Fitch, the No. 9 welterweight in the world according the UFC's official rankings, held a 14-3-1 promotional record, including a victory in one of 2012's most electric fights. Jacob Volkmann racked up a 6-2 résumé at lightweight. Terry Etim and Paul Sass combined to earn seven post-fight bonuses. Ulysses Gomez is a world class fighter in one of the UFC's shallowest divisions. Che Mills fought in a co-main event of a pay-per-view last year. So did Mike Russow, if you're to believe the posters the UFC promoted to sell tickets.

All seven of these fighters, along with nine others, earned their release from the UFC with one abrupt announcement on Wednesday morning. If the UFC was looking to make a statement to its athletes, it did just that.

If Jon Fitch is released it is a very sad day and a day I thought would never come. I thought Jon Fitch was a certain UFC Hall of Famer

— AKA HQ (@AKA_HQ) February 20, 2013

@arielhelwani I got released?!?!? What! Serious?

— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) February 20, 2013

Ill keep everyone posted on the situation and thanks so much for the support. Either way I will be back.

— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) February 20, 2013

Damn the UFC has their prison shanks out with all these cuts !

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) February 20, 2013

Everyone in the UFC must perform including me , Note taken !!!

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) February 20, 2013

Jon Fitch being released from the UFC is shocking/ disappointing. He is a true champion, hard working, & a clean athlete. He will be back!

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) February 20, 2013

wow 16 fighters got cut from the @ufc today. i need to rack up some wins lol :(

— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) February 20, 2013

I wasnt @danawhitedecision to cut me it was Joe Silva's.

— Jacob Volkmann (@JacobVolkmann) February 20, 2013

I want to thank everyone that is supporting me.

— Jacob Volkmann (@JacobVolkmann) February 20, 2013

Feeling for my @kaobonbrothers right now. Absolutely gutted. I didn't think it would come to this after fuel 7 #devvoed

— Andy Ogle (@thelittleaxe) February 20, 2013

Fitch is the king of dealing w/ hardships. He will be back and stronger than ever! Sad day for #TeamAKA. @jonfitchdotnet

— Mike Quick Swick (@officialswick) February 20, 2013

Hey guys. As you now know I was cut from UFC. I want to thank you all for your support and I promise u I will nevr stop fighting :)

— Simeon Thoresen (@simeonthegrin) February 20, 2013

Don't worry @jonfitchdotnet when I see @danawhite I'll get this situated no prob. But for real tho, I'd keep Fitch. RT

— Duane Ludwig (@DUANEBANGCOM) February 20, 2013

Devastated for a lot of sad family's tonight! People chasing a dream an there jobs just taken away!

— paul kelly (@paulkellymma) February 20, 2013

I've never been around someone who works harder in the gym- year around. There is a reason he is team capt at @aka_hq #bringbackfitch

— Kyle Kingsbury (@Kingsbu) February 20, 2013

@derekbrunsonmma naw...1-2-1....explain Hardy then?

— King Mo (@KingMoFH) February 20, 2013

Why is it whenever someone gets cut early by the @ufc, everyone gives me shit? I would have cut me way before @jonfitchdotnet too!

— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) February 20, 2013

I rarely disagree with the UFC but there are more reasons to turn down a fight than taking a fight sometimes.... fb.me/1EUobiG7Q

— Gerald Harris (@GHurricane) February 20, 2013

I'm venting because I'm sick of people saying be exciting or be cut? When I look into my kids eyes - I don't say... fb.me/1ZXhcioSL

— Gerald Harris (@GHurricane) February 20, 2013