UFC releases Brazilian bantamweights Geraldo de Freitas, Gabriel Silva

Gabriel Silva and Geraldo de Freitas were let go by the UFC after back-to-back decision defeats, MMA Fighting has learned.

Silva, younger brother of UFC and Bellator veteran Erick Silva, signed with the UFC in 2019 after a first-round finish under the LFA banner, but lost decisions to Ray Borg and Kyler Phillips in his two octagon appearances as a bantamweight.

A member of Silva’s team said it might take some time before he is allowed to compete again since he’s currently treating a hip injury that has been affecting him since his childhood.

“Espartano” de Freitas went 1-2 inside the octagon between February 2019 and November 2020, winning a decision over Felipe Colares in the featherweight division prior to his split decision setbacks to Chris Gutierrez and Tony Gravely at 135 pounds.

De Freitas compiled a professional MMA record of 11-4 in Brazilian promotions such as Jungle Fight, Shooto Brasil, WOCS and Bitetti Combat before joining the UFC. He has yet to sign a deal to resume his career under another promotion’s banner.

“No one is a ‘UFC athlete,’ but the UFC is part of your life for a certain period of time,” de Freitas told MMA Fighting. “I wanted to stay there longer, of course, but it’s time to continue my work elsewhere.

“I’ll continue to work hard, seeking to evolve as I’ve always done, and shine in another big promotion. Future belongs to God. I’ll come back [to the UFC] if that’s what they want, but it’s time to move on and seek more wins now.”