- Oct 16, 2026
- 0
- 0
SportsMafia Wire graphic. Team logos and player headshots via ESPN.
Dana White walked back recent comments about "issues outside the cage" after they were linked to Farid Basharat's removal from the UFC roster last week.
Basharat, who held a 7-0 record in the promotion and was ranked in the bantamweight division, saw his contract expire without renewal. Six of his seven UFC victories came by decision. The fighter denied allegations that he had rejected bouts or been uncooperative.
At the UFC 333 press conference Thursday, White insisted his earlier statement was not directed at Basharat. White said his comments were general rather than specific to any individual.
Muhammad Mokaev publicly supported Basharat amid the dispute.
White dismissed similar concerns about Movsar Evloev, who carries a 10-0 UFC record with all wins by decision. Evloev faces Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight championship Saturday at UFC 333, where Paul Felder joins Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier on the broadcast. Petr Yan could be next for the title with a victory over Merab Dvalishvili on the same card.
Source: MMA Fighting - Thu Oct 22, 10:00 AM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).