UFC releases Argentine welterweight Laureano Staropoli

Laureano Staropoli was let go by the UFC after dropping four decisions in a row over the past two years, the Chute Boxe fighter confirmed to MMA Fighting. Staropoli went 2-4 under the company banner, including a win over former 170-pound title contender Thiago Alves.

“Pepi” (9-5) signed with the UFC in 2017 after finishing five straight in the South American circuit and pocketed a Fight of the Night bonus in his debut victory over Hector Aldana. Staropoli defeated “Pitbull” Alves six months later, but hasn’t had his hands raised since.

A teammate of UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in Sao Paulo, Staropoli lost decisions to Muslim Salikhov, Tim Means, Roman Dolidze and Jamie Pickett, the past two at middleweight, in a 24-month span.

Speaking with MMA Fighting on Tuesday, “Pepi” said he will cut back to welterweight and plans on finding another promotion to “beat everybody up, enter [the UFC] again and become the f*cking champion.”