Jacare Souza no longer on UFC roster following completion of recent contract

Brazilian middleweight Jacare Souza is no longer a UFC fighter after completing his contract with the promotion.

UFC officials confirmed the news to MMA Fighting on Thursday.

The end of Souza’s contract comes days after Souza suffered a brutal loss to Andre Muniz at UFC 262 in Houston, having his arm broken in the opening round. Souza, who dropped his past four fights inside the octagon, underwent successful surgery earlier this week.

Sherdog.com was first to report the news.

Souza joined the UFC as a former Strikeforce middleweight champion in 2013, holding a professional MMA record of 17-3 with wins over the likes of Tim Kennedy, Robbie Lawler, Derek Brunson, Matt Lindland and Alexander Shlemenko.

The jiu-jitsu star won his first five in the UFC with four stoppages, including a third-round guillotine choke over Gegard Mousasi in 2014, but never got his shot at the 185-pound gold.

Souza, 41, suffered his first octagon defeat in a close split decision to Yoel Romero in 2015, bouncing back with first-round finishes over Vitor Belfort and Tim Boetsch before losing to future champion Robert Whittaker. Jacare leaves the UFC after going 2-6 in his past eight bouts.