UFC Re-Signs Veteran One Win Away from Breaking Historic Record

The UFC is no stranger to unexpected twists—especially when it comes to its ever-changing roster. In a landscape filled with rising contenders and sudden exits, it’s rare to see a fighter return just days after being declared gone. But that’s exactly what happened this week, as one seasoned veteran—briefly thought to be cut—has officially rejoined the promotion and is now on the verge of making UFC history.

Brad Tavares, a 37-year-old American middleweight, was recently reported to be off the UFC roster following his most recent fight. The news sparked discussion, with many assuming his release was part of a wave of post-event cuts. However, Tavares cleared the air in a new interview on the Still Friends Show, revealing that he was never officially cut—just in between contracts. ‘So what happened was my contract ended, right? We were still negotiating, and I guess if you're not under contract, the system automatically takes you off the roster,’ Tavares explained. ‘So when people started noticing that, they were like, “Oh, he got cut.” But I was never cut. It was just the contract expired, and we were in talks for a new one.’