UFC
UFC NEWS: TUF 8 winner Efrain Escudero released by the UFC; looking at Strikeforce and Bellator
Sep 20, 2010 - 11:50:29 PM UFC NEWS: TUF 8 winner Efrain Escudero released by the UFC; looking at Strikeforce and Bellator

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

If anything has held a fighter's longevity in the UFC, it has been winning, or being an integral part of, The Ultimate Fighter reality series. Well the UFC on Monday sent a message to its current and future TUF winners that it's not necessarily a guaranteed roster spot.

According to season eight winner Efrain Escudero on Twitter, he was given his release from the organization following his UFC Fight Night 22 loss to Charles Oliveira. Escudero came into the fight four pounds over the lightweight limit, and was submitted by Oliveira in the third round.

Escudero went 3-2 in the organization, beginning with his Ultimate Fighter 8 finals victory over Phillipe Nover. After knocking out Cole Miller, Escudero was submitted by Evan Dunham in January. His next fight saw him win a decision over Dan Lauzon in an uninspired performance in May before losing to Oliveira last week.

Escudero said he's now looking at both Strikeforce and Bellator for his new home, though he'll take a step back for a week.

"I was released by the UFC today," Escudero wrote. "Speaking to Strikeforce and Bellator. Taking a week off and [I will] make my way back!"

Penick's Analysis: I'm extremely surprised by this cut. Both Mac Danzig and Kendall Grove have come extremely close to being the first TUF winners released by the organization, but I didn't see this coming after a 3-2 start for Escudero in the organization. He didn't help his case with a terrible fight against Dan Lauzon and then by coming in overweight for the Oliveira fight. At the same time, the thinking was that by being a TUF winner he'd get at least one more fight in the Octagon. He'll get another shot if he gets another win or two, but only the UFC truly knows why Escudero is no longer on the roster.

EDIT: Yes, Travis Lutter was technically the first TUF winner released by the organization, but he was also the winner of the "comeback" season and was already 1-2 in the organization before winning the season. I hold the other season winners in a different category.