The news is confirmed, I’m no longer in the UFC.
I have had an incredibly successful time with the organization. I am proud and happy about what I have achieved inside the octagon. I leave with a stainless plate. I hold the longest active winning streak in my weight division and the fourth longest in the entire UFC. I feel like I’m the best weight in the world. I always turned up and fought despite injuries and being underweight. And I always asked for the toughest opponent to get me closer to the title.
But my departure clearly has nothing to do with my ability to fight. Unfortunately, the organization is not what it used to be. They are moving in a different direction than what we all grew up loving. I want to make it clear that since my last fight I was never offered a contract or an opponent, I waited and it never came. I certainly have never turned down a fight in my entire tenure.
I want to thank the UFC staff with whom I have developed a great relationship over the past few years. And most importantly, thanks to the fans for all the support
I am still young, the best is yet to come, inshaAllah