Undefeated bantamweight Farid Basharat has confirmed his departure from the UFC, releasing a statement on social media that included criticism of the organization. Basharat’s exit comes after his contract concluded, and he was not offered a new deal by the promotion, despite maintaining a perfect record in the Octagon. His statement, widely reported by outlets such as Heavy.com and MMA Fighting, indicated a belief that the UFC is moving in a different direction from its past.
Basharat's Statement and Departure Details
Basharat took to social media to address the news of his removal from the UFC roster. He expressed pride in his accomplishments within the organization, noting his stainless record upon departure. According to Heavy.com, Basharat stated that his departure had nothing to do with his fighting capabilities. He also clarified that he was never offered a contract or an opponent since his last fight and had never declined a fight during his tenure with the promotion.
In his statement, Basharat directly addressed his view of the organization's current state, saying, “Unfortunately the organisation just isn't what it used to be. They're heading in a different direction from what we all grew up loving.” This sentiment was echoed across various MMA news outlets, including Cageside Press and Bloody Elbow, highlighting the fighter's strong feelings regarding his unexpected release.
His departure follows a trend seen with other fighters whose contracts have expired without renewal. Basharat is now a free agent and is able to sign with any other combat sports promotion. His brother, Javid Basharat, who was also previously released by the UFC, has since joined PFL/MVP MMA, suggesting a potential path for Farid.
An Undefeated Record in the Octagon
Farid Basharat leaves the UFC with an unblemished UFC record of 7-0-0, having competed in seven fights for the promotion. His last bout took place in July 2026 at UFC 329: McGregor vs. Holloway 2, where he secured a unanimous decision victory over John Garza in the bantamweight division. The pre-fight market had favored Basharat significantly, giving him an 85% chance to win that contest.
Before his departure, Basharat was ranked #13 in the official UFC bantamweight rankings. At the time of his last fight, he was 28 years old, standing 5' 8'' with a reach of 71 inches, fighting out of an Orthodox stance. His UFC win streak before his last fight stood at six consecutive victories, a notable achievement in the competitive bantamweight division.
Throughout his UFC career, Basharat demonstrated strong grappling capabilities, averaging 3.0 takedowns per fight with a 51% accuracy. His takedown defense stood at 49%. His wins included unanimous decision victories over Jean Matsumoto in February 2026 at UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira, and Chris Gutierrez in October 2025 at UFC 320: Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2. He also secured a unanimous decision win against Victor Hugo in October 2024 at UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway, competing at featherweight for that bout, before returning to bantamweight.
Basharat's next booked UFC fight is currently none on the schedule, confirming his status as a free agent in the mixed martial arts landscape.
By the numbers
| Fighter | UFC record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Farid Basharat | 7-0-0 | Bantamweight #13 |
UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.
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