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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
In the last three years, no fighter has more wins in the UFC's lightweight division than Ben Henderson, Jim Miller, and Jacob Volkmann. Each has won six fights at 155 lbs. during that stretch, but after suffering a loss to Bobby Green earlier this month at UFC 156, Volkmann is now out of the UFC.
The often polarizing Volkmann was submitted by Green in the third round of an off performance, and revealed late Tuesday that it cost him a spot on the UFC's roster.
Was just cut from the UFC today.I want to thank the fans, and say i gave it my all.No regrets.
"Christmas" lost his first two fights in the UFC at welterweight, prompting the drop to 155 lbs. where he earned five straight wins. However, he became more known for some awkward post-fight interviews, and infamous for some comments about President Barack Obama that earned him a visit from the Secret Service and some unjust treatment from the local high school in Minnesota where he served as wrestling coach.
Added to that, his five straight wins all came by decision, and kept him from moving quickly up the ladder. Then, in 2012, he suffered a submission loss to Paul Sass in surprising fashion to snap that win streak. He followed that up with a quick submission over Shane Roller in October in front of a hometown crowd in Minneapolis, but his loss to Green set him back again. This time, UFC matchmaker Joe Silva opted to let him go.
I wasnt @danawhitedecision to cut me it was Joe Silva's.
Penick's Analysis: I understand that Volkmann's style wasn't always exciting and that it wasn't always for everyone, and his personality in his post-fight interviews rubbed some people the wrong way. I get all that. However, he's 6-2 in the lightweight division. He had an off night against Green, but that was coming off a very exciting performance against Roller. I just don't see the logic in this cut given many of the fighters who are still on the roster in the lightweight division. Volkmann's not likely to lose outside of the organization, so I'd imagine if continues on he might eventually be back, or perhaps he's just gotten himself on Joe Silva's bad side, leaving little leeway on this front. Regardless of the reason, Volkmann's out after ten fights in a little over three years for the UFC.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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