TUF Brazil winner Antonio Carlos Junior, 11 others no longer under contract with UFC

The UFC has parted ways with a dozen fighters, including The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 winner Antonio Carlos Junior, UFC officials confirmed to MMA Fighting.

The list also includes Carlton Minus, Peter Barrett, Spike Carlyle, Anthony Ivy, Jacob Kilburn, Sarah Moras, Vinicius Moreira, Markus Perez, Cole Williams, and Rhys McKee. Vanessa Melo is no longer under contract with the promotion following her recent win over Moras, but her team is hopeful that she will land a new deal.

The release of “Cara de Sapato,” Minus, and McKee was first reported by MMA Junkie.

Junior (10-5, 1 NC) has lost three in a row since 2019, dropping decisions to Ian Heinisch, Uriah Hall, and Brad Tavares. Barrett (11-5) went winless in the promotion, losing to Chase Hooper in his most recent appearance.

McKee (10-4-1), Ivy (8-4), Moreira (9-5), Kilburn (8-4) and Williams (11-3) were released after going winless inside the octagon. Carlyle (9-3), Moras (6-7) and Perez (12-5) scored a wins during their UFC tenure, but part ways following consecutive defeats.