Recently, three fighters were removed from the UFC Roster Watch fan rankings pool, and among them was Russian mixed martial artist, Zubaira Tukhugov. Tukhugov’s removal is believed to be a result of his latest loss against Elves Brenner at UFC 284, where he lost via decision. Additionally, Tukhugov has had a history of missing weight and withdrawing from fights, leading many fans to speculate that this played a role in his removal from the rankings.
However, many others believed that Tukhugov’s last fight was misjudged and he should have been declared the victor. Nevertheless, as the UFC Roster Watch tweeted the removal of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s friend, the MMA fans took over the comments section and expressed themselves. Without a doubt, the MMA world was split into two factions where one supported the decision while the other stood against it.
Fans react to the removal of the friend of Khabib Nurmagomedov
The UFC Roster keeps updating itself from time to time. Without a doubt, some of the fighters are removed and a few more are added to the list. Recently, the UFC Roster Watch declared, “Fighter removed: Zubaira Tukhugov.”
❌ Fighter removed: Zubaira Tukhugov
— UFC Roster Watch (@UFCRosterWatch) February 28, 2023
Undeniably, this created an uproar in the world of mixed martial arts. Getting removed from the roster means that the fighters either have been released from the UFC and become free agents, or they have been removed from the USADA testing pool, or they retired or took a break from the Octagon.
Although there are various reasons for the fighters to be removed from the roster, some of the fans believed that Tukhugov did not deserve to be removed, since he apparently won his last bout.
HE WON THAT SHIT
— berk (@berkalog) February 28, 2023
Ain’t no way they robbed him of a win and his job 😭
— Nigel Wilson (@NigelWilson90) February 28, 2023
he won the fight and got dropped incredible
— X (@XSocialMedium) February 28, 2023
The fact that the fighter missed weight, even though he moved up to a higher weight class, astonished the fans.
https://twitter.com/Martiiinnng/status/1630717237370982400?s=20
Yo these cuts are getting out of hand! pic.twitter.com/1mn0MFefSO
— QG (@QGoitom) March 1, 2023
Furthermore, some of the fans believed that the world was fair and tried to justify the decision.
Last 5 fights..He's missed weight 2x.
Lost 2x. 1 draw and 2 wins.( Could say should be 3 wins ) but the performance isnt living up – so probs why he got cut.
— kay (@ItsAmeKaaay) February 28, 2023
misses weight constantly, loses as a massive favorite every other fight and hasn’t gotten a finish since Kevin Aguilar pre-covid, very justified
— Adrian (@hallelalaluwah1) March 1, 2023
Nevertheless, one of the fans admitted that it was quite a day for the UFC.
Ufc this morning. Ruthless
— Kaizer Soze (@VoiceArsenal) March 1, 2023
Wow what a day
— rm (@MefailRubin) March 1, 2023
Although the fighter got out of the pool, the fans still believe in him. The fans, especially the ones who favor Nurmagomedov, have repeatedly stood in support of Tukhugov. After all, he was one of the fighters who attacked Nurmagomedov’s rival, Conor McGregor.