UFC Heavyweight Competier Martin Buday's shocking release confused the opponent he defeated at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Martin Buday expanded his three-fighter-winning streak at UFC Abu Dhabi against one of the biggest signatories of the 2025 promotion. But despite his upset victory, the fight would eventually be his last performance in the Octagon.
Buday was not again signed by the UFC after his unanimous decision victory over Buchecha at UFC Abu Dhabi. It was a shocking decision by the matchmakers after Buday had made a strong thing to go up in the latest heavyweight rankings.
Many around MMA expressed their confusion and criticism of the UFC's decision to continue from Buday, including Buday's opponent Marcus Buchecha.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Marcus Buchecha 'Really Sad' about the bizarre UFC release of Martin Buday
In a recent interview with MMA fights, Buchecha was asked for his thoughts about Buday's shocking resignation.
“To be honest, I was really sad,” said Buchecha.
“I was sad for him because he is such a nice guy. I knew him from years ago, we met in Abu Dhabi on Hij was a blue belt, I was already a black band, a world champion. We respected each other a lot during the Vechtweek. And he is 7-1 in the UFC. [Tom Aspinall] is 8-1. There was no reason to cut him.
“I was sad because he was well ranked and everyone thought he would climb the ranking even more and eventually cut.”
Buday went 7-1 in the UFC with victories over Andrei Arlovski, Josh Parisian and Jake Collier. His only defeat came against Shamil Gaziev on UFC 296 by TKO.
Buday, an alum of the Contender Series of Dana White, earned a UFC contract by eliminating Lorenzo Hood with a knee in 2021. He won his first four UFC performances before the loss was for Gaziev.
Earlier this week Buday revealed that the PFL and Glory Kickboxing are two promotions that he has reached since he became a free agent. His former Stamping site, Octagon MMA, is also interested in welcoming him back on the promotion.
Reinier de Ridder brutally brutally over UFC Abu Dhabi Critique on Paulo Costa
In the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, Reinier de Ridder Robert Whittaker defeated a split decision to remain unbeaten in his promotional term of office. Despite the victory of De Ridder, not everyone was impressed by his performance.
Former UFC title -Uitdager Paulo Costa mocked the knight on social media after looking at his victory on Whittaker and claimed that he would hit the knight three times if she squeezes the cage. De Ridder replied by reminding Costa that Whittaker had pronounced him earlier in their career.
De Ridder is on the edge of a potential middleweight title shot and keeps an eye on the UFC 319 headliner. UFC Middleweight Champion Dric Du Plessis will be confronted with Khamzat Chimaev in his latest defending defense.