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Undefeated bantamweight standout Farid Basharat is clearing the air following his shocking departure from the UFC, directly pushing back against cryptic remarks made by promotional CEO Dana White.
Despite boasting a flawless 16-0 professional record with seven straight victories under the Zuffa banner, Basharat was unexpectedly not re-signed following the expiration of his contract—sparking immediate debate across the combat sports world.
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| Farid Basharat responds to Dana White over UFC contract release |
Dana White's Cryptic Warning
The controversy ignited after Dana White addressed Basharat's release during a recent post-fight press conference. When asked why a dominant, undefeated prospect was allowed to walk into free agency, White offered an ominous explanation:
> “If you’re 16-0 with seven wins in the UFC and don’t get re-signed, there’s definitely a reason.”
White’s comments fueled speculation among fans and analysts that Basharat was either turning down matchups behind closed doors or demanding unreasonable financial terms.
Basharat Sets the Record Straight: "No Issues in Any Way"
Refusing to let the narrative linger, the 27-year-old Afghan-British fighter addressed White's insinuations directly via his official social media channels, denying any backstage friction or refusal to compete:
> “He kind of alluded to maybe I was turning down fights or I was difficult to deal with. I definitely didn’t turn nobody down. There was no issues with me in any way.”
Basharat made it clear that from his perspective, negotiations simply stalled without any unprofessionalism or rejected bout agreements on his end.
The Reality Behind the Decision: Style vs. Promotion
Basharat's release shines a harsh light on modern UFC roster management. Inside the Octagon, Basharat was near-perfect, utilizing an suffocating grappling base and technical kickboxing to dismantle every opponent placed in front of him.
However, five of his UFC wins came via judges' decision. For promotional brass, dominant control time without high-risk finishes has increasingly become an uphill battle for leverage at the negotiation table, especially in a talent-stacked 135-pound division.
A Massive Free Agent on the Open Market
At 16-0 and in the prime of his athletic career, Basharat immediately becomes one of the most coveted free agents in mixed martial arts.
Major promotions like PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship are expected to pursue the undefeated bantamweight aggressively, offering him the chance to test his championship ceiling outside the UFC spotlight.
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