Bryan Battle, the former winner of "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series, has experienced a rollercoaster of a career, marked by impressive victories and, ultimately, struggles with weight that led to his release from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). This article delves into Battle's journey, exploring his rise to prominence, the weight-related issues that plagued his recent fights, his subsequent release from the UFC, and his quick transition to Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing promotion.
From "The Ultimate Fighter" Winner to UFC Prospect
Bryan Battle (12-2, 1NC) made a name for himself by winning the middleweight tournament in the 29th season of "The Ultimate Fighter" in 2021. Following his victory, Battle maintained a strong UFC record of 7-1, 1NC, showcasing his potential as a promising prospect in the promotion.
The Weight Cut Woes Begin
The past year has proven to be a difficult one for Battle. In December, Battle faced Randy Brown in a welterweight bout but missed weight, coming in four pounds heavy at 175lbs when the limit was 171lbs. Despite the weight miss, Battle still secured a victory against Brown. Randy Brown didn't take Bryan Battle missing weight at UFC 310 lightly. Brown, a seasoned UFC fighter, expressed his frustration with Battle's unprofessionalism, stating, "We both knew about the fight at the same time. I came in as a professional. I've never missed weight at any point in my career. They knew they weren't gonna make the weight, so they could've told me… I would've stopped [cutting], and we could've made a catchweight, but they wanted me to suffer." Brown emphasized the importance of professionalism, stating, "He's supposed to cut the weight. 170 was the deal. Make 170, man. Be professional."
Brown also downplayed the significance of any potential pay bump he might receive due to Battle missing weight, emphasizing his veteran status in the UFC. "I don't care about the pay bump because he's a newbie. He just got here. [I've been here] almost 10 years, I'm paid. I'm not worried about what his little 10% is gonna do for me. He'll take the pay cut." Brown further added, "If he wins, then who cares? No one cares about that [weight miss]. They just wanna see the result. I came here to fight at the end of the day, but people don't care about anything else… He's already a 185er coming down. He's a big boy."
Middleweight Move and Another Missed Mark
Following the weight miss against Brown, Battle decided to move up to the middleweight division for a scheduled bout against Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC 319. However, Battle's weight issues persisted, as he weighed in at 190 pounds - four pounds over the 186-pound limit. As a result, the fight was canceled.
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UFC Release and a Quick Turnaround
The repeated weight misses ultimately led to Battle's release from the UFC. UFC officials confirmed Battle's release to ESPN on Wednesday. While being cut by the UFC for missing weight is rare, especially for a fighter with a winning record, the promotion decided to part ways with Battle.
Despite the setback, Battle quickly found a new opportunity, signing with Mike Perry’s Dirty Boxing promotion. Just days after his UFC release, Battle was scheduled to compete at DBX 3.
A Successful Weight Cut and a New Beginning
In a swift turnaround, Battle successfully made weight for his Dirty Boxing debut. On Thursday, Battle weighed in at the 186-pound weight limit for DBX 3, which took place at The Hangar at Regatta Harbour in Miami. He faced Derik de Freitas, who also successfully made weight.
Battle's Perspective on the Weight Struggles and UFC Release
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Battle expressed his understanding of the UFC's decision and his willingness to prove himself. “I would understand [if UFC releases me],” Battle added. “If they’re kind of gracious, I’ll be extremely thankful for that. But this is just a time where I must focus on the day-to-day.”
Reflecting on his weight-cutting struggles, Battle admitted to underestimating the challenges. “I’m getting older, and I think my body just can’t do the things it used to do. I thought it was going to be a piece of cake, a walk in the park,” Battle said. He also described the difficulty of recovering once things start going downhill during a weight cut.
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