After a long time UFC has named someone whom it had dropped from the organization. Following a 3-3 record in the organization and a close split-decision loss to John Howard at this past weekend’s UFC 101 event, Tamdan McCrory (11-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) no longer has a job with the UFC.
The 22-year-old welterweight prospect, also known as “The Barncat,” was cut from the UFC’s roster following the defeat. McCrory’s camp discussed the cut on The Underground, and sources close to the fighter confirmed that the Northeast-based fighter learned of it on Sunday.
McCrory, an eccentric fighter who’s garnered a cult following (thanks partially to his affinity for the black-metal music genre, his tryout for VH1′s “The Pickup Artist 2″ and jokingly calling out UFC president Dana White for not allowing the fighter to use “Thunderhorse” as his walk-out music), launched his pro career in June 2006 and went 9-0 in just a 12-month span.
Despite a minimal background in sports, the youngster proved something of a prodigy in mixed martial arts. Although he defeated Pete Spratt, Luke Cummo and Ryan Madigan in the UFC, McCrory struggled against tougher competition with losses to Akihiro Gono, Dustin Hazelett and Howard.
So, why the walking papers? For a fighter such as McCrory, it likely resulted from a number of factors. The UFC was already in roster-trimming mode prior to the recent signings (and re-signings) of nearly 20 Affliction fighters and other competitors (such as Frank Trigg, Tito Ortiz, Vladimir Matyushenko, Igor Pokrajac and Jake Ellenberger), and the recent influx of talent leaves even fewer spots for mid-level fighters and young competitors who still need more seasoning.
Additionally, after struggling to make 170 pounds for UFC 101 and recently telling MMAjunkie Radio he’s likely to move to middleweight, McCrory will likely need a fight or two to get comfortable in a new weight class.
Finally, McCrory is still young enough to work his way back into the organization. The UFC has a long track record of releasing fighters and signing them once they get some wins in outside organizations. (Marcus Davis, Hermes Franca, Aaron Riley and Dennis Hallman are just a few examples.)’
In addition to McCrory, UFC 101 preliminary-card loser and recent middleweight title challenger Thales Leites was also released from the UFC, as MMAjunkie reported earlier. The others who were released from the company were – Dan Cramer, George Roop and Danillo Villefort were also released following UFC 101 losses.
On the other hand Welterweight Phil Baroni released by Strikeforce; reportedly “likely” to sign with UFC. Following a June defeat at the hands of Joe Riggs, welterweight slugger Phil Baroni (13-11) was today officially released from his contract with Strikeforce. Now the lost property of Strikeforce is property of UFC.
What is awaited to be seen – will Strikeforce sign McCrory to increase the cold war between the two organizations?
